Bowel Elimination- Fundamentals Final Exam Questions and Answers

nursing assessment for bowel elimination Assess for bowel elimination patterns/habits Patient's medical history Inspection of fecal characteristics Review relevant test results Medication history (laxatives, iron supplements, analgesics) Diet history / Chewing ability Recent illnesses and /or stressors Mobility / dexterity physical assessment of abdomen inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation abdominal distention feels light like a drum; skin is taut assessing bowel sounds Every 5-15 seconds in all four quadrants absent bowel sounds paralytic ileus after abdominal surgery or not captured hypoactive bowel sounds less than 5 per minute hyperactive bowel sounds 35 or more per minute defecation The external sphincter relaxes and abdominal muscles contract, increasing intrarectal pressure & forcing stool out. elimination patterns and habits vary among individuals diet and bowel elimination Regular daily food intake helps maintain regular pattern of peristalsis. Fiber provides bulk. fluid intake and bowel elimination Creates a larger, softer stool mass. Increases peristalsis. age- older adults and bowel elimination Decreased chewing ability Peristalsis declines Muscle tone weakens physical activity and bowel elimination Promotes peristalsis. Immobilization. Increased risk of constipation. psychological factors and bowel elimination Prolonged emotional stress. Embarrassment. pain and bowel elimination Can suppress the urge to defecate to avoid pain Increased risk of constipation. position during defecation and bowel elimination Normal sitting position. Immobilized in bed (bedpan). surgery & anesthesia and bowel elimination General anesthetic agents slows or stops peristalsis waves. opioid anaglesics and bowel elimination slow peristalsis (constipation)