Bowel Elimination Practice Questions With
100% Correct Answers
A) Where peristalsis moves food to stomach
B) Receives enzymes from the gallbladder and pancreas to further break down chyme and absorbs
nutrients
C) Secretes hydrochloric acid and pepsin; converts bolus of food to chyme
D) Absorbs, protects, secretes, eliminates
E) Temporarily stores feces until elimination
1) Esophagus
2) Rectum
3) Small intestine
4) Stomach
5) Colon
A-1, B-3, C-4, D-5, E-2
If a patient had to have part of their colon (large intestine) removed, which of the following may
result?
A) The patient could experience an acid-base imbalance.
B) The patient could experience increased amounts of mucus in the stool.
C) The patient could experience fluid volume overload with increased absorption.
D) Once healed, it would be unlikely for the patient to experience any alteration in elimination
A
A nurse is admitting a patient to the unit. The nurse is aware that the patient is at increased risk for
constipation if the following are present in the patient's health history or admission assessment:
(Select all that apply.)
A) The patient is 81 years old.
B) The patient reports rare laxative use.
C) The patient takes narcotics for chronic back pain.
D) The patient eats whole grains, raw fruits, and green leafy vegetables.
E) The patient takes daily iron and calcium supplements.
F) The patient reports daily exercise and remains active.
A, C, E
A student nurse is studying the GI system in preparation for an exam. Which statement indicates
correct understanding?
A) "Most absorption of water occurs in the small intestine."
B) "The ascending colon would be found in the right side of the patient's abdomen."
C) "A patient's heart rate may increase with rectal manipulation, such as removing an impaction."
D) "The use of opioids for pain relief and antibiotic therapy places a person at risk for developing
diarrhea."
B
An increase in venous pressure caused by liver disease can result in the development of:
A) Hemorrhoids
B) Flatulence
C) Impaction
D) Diarrhea
A
, The comatose patient in ICU, who has not had a bowel movement in 4 days suddenly is incontinent of
liquid stool. What should the nurse suspect?
A) Diarrhea as a result of decreased muscle tone
B) Impaction
C) The patient had a vagal response
D) Flatulence
B
The nurse is monitoring the patient for a possible vagal response while removing a fecal impaction. If
the patient would have a vagal response, what would the nurse most likely observe?
A) Tachycardia
B) Hypertension
C) A decrease in heart rate
D) A decrease in respirations
C
A patient is scheduled for an abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan. Before the scan he must
receive a cleansing tap water enema. The nurse should prepare:
A) At least 2000 mL of tap water
B) 1000 mL or less of tap water
C) 5 mL of castile soap and 1500 mL of water
D) 180 mL of prepackaged (Fleets) enema solution
B
The health care provider has ordered a Fleets enema for a patient experiencing constipation. Which
of the following actions would require correction?
A) The nurse delegates the task to NAP.
B) The nurse removes the protective cap from the rectal tip.
C) The nurse squeezes and releases the bottle several times until all of the solution has entered the
patient.
D) The nurse administers the enema at room temperature, or if too cool, warms the solution by
holding the bottle under warm running water.
C
An adult patient complains of cramping during the administration of an enema. What could be a
possible cause? (Select all that apply.)
A) Too-rapid an instillation of the solution
B) The patient was placed in the Sims' position
C) Holding the enema bag too low during the infusion
D) Cold enema solution
E) The lubricated rectal tip was inserted 3-4 inches
A, D
Which of the following is the best example of documentation of enema administration?
A) 0800 1000 mL tap water enema administered without difficulty. Moderate return of soft formed
brown stool.
B) 1000 Soap suds enema administered. Patient tolerated well.
C) 0830 800 mL tap water enema administered. Return clear with no fecal material Bowel sounds
present in all 4 quadrants pre and post procedure. Abdomen nondistended. Patient states "I'm glad
that's over."
100% Correct Answers
A) Where peristalsis moves food to stomach
B) Receives enzymes from the gallbladder and pancreas to further break down chyme and absorbs
nutrients
C) Secretes hydrochloric acid and pepsin; converts bolus of food to chyme
D) Absorbs, protects, secretes, eliminates
E) Temporarily stores feces until elimination
1) Esophagus
2) Rectum
3) Small intestine
4) Stomach
5) Colon
A-1, B-3, C-4, D-5, E-2
If a patient had to have part of their colon (large intestine) removed, which of the following may
result?
A) The patient could experience an acid-base imbalance.
B) The patient could experience increased amounts of mucus in the stool.
C) The patient could experience fluid volume overload with increased absorption.
D) Once healed, it would be unlikely for the patient to experience any alteration in elimination
A
A nurse is admitting a patient to the unit. The nurse is aware that the patient is at increased risk for
constipation if the following are present in the patient's health history or admission assessment:
(Select all that apply.)
A) The patient is 81 years old.
B) The patient reports rare laxative use.
C) The patient takes narcotics for chronic back pain.
D) The patient eats whole grains, raw fruits, and green leafy vegetables.
E) The patient takes daily iron and calcium supplements.
F) The patient reports daily exercise and remains active.
A, C, E
A student nurse is studying the GI system in preparation for an exam. Which statement indicates
correct understanding?
A) "Most absorption of water occurs in the small intestine."
B) "The ascending colon would be found in the right side of the patient's abdomen."
C) "A patient's heart rate may increase with rectal manipulation, such as removing an impaction."
D) "The use of opioids for pain relief and antibiotic therapy places a person at risk for developing
diarrhea."
B
An increase in venous pressure caused by liver disease can result in the development of:
A) Hemorrhoids
B) Flatulence
C) Impaction
D) Diarrhea
A
, The comatose patient in ICU, who has not had a bowel movement in 4 days suddenly is incontinent of
liquid stool. What should the nurse suspect?
A) Diarrhea as a result of decreased muscle tone
B) Impaction
C) The patient had a vagal response
D) Flatulence
B
The nurse is monitoring the patient for a possible vagal response while removing a fecal impaction. If
the patient would have a vagal response, what would the nurse most likely observe?
A) Tachycardia
B) Hypertension
C) A decrease in heart rate
D) A decrease in respirations
C
A patient is scheduled for an abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan. Before the scan he must
receive a cleansing tap water enema. The nurse should prepare:
A) At least 2000 mL of tap water
B) 1000 mL or less of tap water
C) 5 mL of castile soap and 1500 mL of water
D) 180 mL of prepackaged (Fleets) enema solution
B
The health care provider has ordered a Fleets enema for a patient experiencing constipation. Which
of the following actions would require correction?
A) The nurse delegates the task to NAP.
B) The nurse removes the protective cap from the rectal tip.
C) The nurse squeezes and releases the bottle several times until all of the solution has entered the
patient.
D) The nurse administers the enema at room temperature, or if too cool, warms the solution by
holding the bottle under warm running water.
C
An adult patient complains of cramping during the administration of an enema. What could be a
possible cause? (Select all that apply.)
A) Too-rapid an instillation of the solution
B) The patient was placed in the Sims' position
C) Holding the enema bag too low during the infusion
D) Cold enema solution
E) The lubricated rectal tip was inserted 3-4 inches
A, D
Which of the following is the best example of documentation of enema administration?
A) 0800 1000 mL tap water enema administered without difficulty. Moderate return of soft formed
brown stool.
B) 1000 Soap suds enema administered. Patient tolerated well.
C) 0830 800 mL tap water enema administered. Return clear with no fecal material Bowel sounds
present in all 4 quadrants pre and post procedure. Abdomen nondistended. Patient states "I'm glad
that's over."
