Potter & Perry Chapter 47: Bowel Elimination
Exam Questions And Answers (Verified And
Updated)
Which of the following nursing actions do you take after placing a bedpan under an immobilized pt?
A. Lift the pt's hips off the bed and slide the bedpan under the pt
B. After positioning the pt on the bedpan, elevate the head of the bed to a 45-defree angle
C. Adjust the head of the bed so it is lower than the feet and use gently but firm pressure to push the
bedpan under the pt
D. Have the pt stand beside the bed and then have him or her sit on the bedpan on the edge of the
bed
Answer: B
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed allows the patient the most normal and comfortable position
for defecation on a bedpan.
A pt has not had a bowel movement for 4 days. Now she has nausea and severe cramping throughout
her abdomen. On the basis of these findings, what do you suspect is wrong with the pt?
A. An intestinal obstruction
B. Irritation of the intestinal mucosa
C. Gastroenteritis
D. A fecal impaction
Answer: A
Rationale: Absence of bowel movement, nausea, cramping, and possibly vomiting are characteristic of
an intestinal obstruction.
During the administration of a warm tap-water enema, a pt complains of cramping abd pain that he
rates 6 out of 10. What is your priority nursing intervention?
A. Stop the instillation
B. Ask the pt to take deep breaths to decrease the pain
C. Add soapsuds to the enema
D. Tell the pt to bear down as he would when having a bowel movement
Answer: A
Rationale: When a patient complains of pain during an enema, you need to stop the instillation and
conduct an assessment before discontinuing or resuming the procedure.
Which instructions do you include when educating a person with chronic constipation? (Select all that
apply)
A. Increase fiber and fluids in the diet
B. Use a low-volume enema daily
C. Avoid gluten in the diet
D. Take laxatives twice a day
E. Exercise for 30 minutes every day
F. Schedule time to use the toilet at the same time every day
G. Take probiotics 5x a week
Answer: A, E, F
Rationale: These are steps a patient needs to take to resolve chronic problems with constipation
before considering regular laxative or enema use.
.Which skills do you teach a pt with a new colostomy before discharge form the hospital? (Select all
that apply)
Exam Questions And Answers (Verified And
Updated)
Which of the following nursing actions do you take after placing a bedpan under an immobilized pt?
A. Lift the pt's hips off the bed and slide the bedpan under the pt
B. After positioning the pt on the bedpan, elevate the head of the bed to a 45-defree angle
C. Adjust the head of the bed so it is lower than the feet and use gently but firm pressure to push the
bedpan under the pt
D. Have the pt stand beside the bed and then have him or her sit on the bedpan on the edge of the
bed
Answer: B
Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed allows the patient the most normal and comfortable position
for defecation on a bedpan.
A pt has not had a bowel movement for 4 days. Now she has nausea and severe cramping throughout
her abdomen. On the basis of these findings, what do you suspect is wrong with the pt?
A. An intestinal obstruction
B. Irritation of the intestinal mucosa
C. Gastroenteritis
D. A fecal impaction
Answer: A
Rationale: Absence of bowel movement, nausea, cramping, and possibly vomiting are characteristic of
an intestinal obstruction.
During the administration of a warm tap-water enema, a pt complains of cramping abd pain that he
rates 6 out of 10. What is your priority nursing intervention?
A. Stop the instillation
B. Ask the pt to take deep breaths to decrease the pain
C. Add soapsuds to the enema
D. Tell the pt to bear down as he would when having a bowel movement
Answer: A
Rationale: When a patient complains of pain during an enema, you need to stop the instillation and
conduct an assessment before discontinuing or resuming the procedure.
Which instructions do you include when educating a person with chronic constipation? (Select all that
apply)
A. Increase fiber and fluids in the diet
B. Use a low-volume enema daily
C. Avoid gluten in the diet
D. Take laxatives twice a day
E. Exercise for 30 minutes every day
F. Schedule time to use the toilet at the same time every day
G. Take probiotics 5x a week
Answer: A, E, F
Rationale: These are steps a patient needs to take to resolve chronic problems with constipation
before considering regular laxative or enema use.
.Which skills do you teach a pt with a new colostomy before discharge form the hospital? (Select all
that apply)
