Fundamentals of Nursing-Chapter 47-Bowel
Elimination Exam Questions With 100% Correct
Answers
Which are causes of diarrhea? Select all that apply.
1
Antibiotic use
2
Lack of exercise
3
Clostridium difficile
4
Reduced fluid intake
5
Surgeries of the lower gastrointestinal tract
1
Antibiotic use
3
Clostridium difficile
5
Surgeries of the lower gastrointestinal tract
Antibiotic use, Clostridium difficile, and surgeries and diagnostic testing of the lower gastrointestinal
tract may cause diarrhea. Lack of exercise and reduced fluid intake may cause constipation.
Which medication may be used to promote defecation?
1
Codeine
2
Laxatives
3
Loperamide
4
Opium tincture
2
Laxatives
Laxatives are often prescribed to promote defecation in patients with constipation. Codeine and
opium tincture may be used to manage chronic severe diarrhea in patients with Crohn's disease,
ulcerative colitis, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Loperamide is also an antidiarrheal agent.
Which assessment finding would the nurse associate with a problem with bowel elimination?
1
A bowel movement every 5 days
2
Loose appearing abdominal skin
3
Bowel sounds every 5 to 15 seconds
4
Absence of peristaltic waves on the abdomen
1
A bowel movement every 5 days
A bowel movement every 5 days indicates constipation, which is an abnormal finding, thus a problem
with bowel elimination. Abdominal distension, indicated by taut and stretched abdominal skin, may
,be seen in patients with altered bowel elimination, as opposed to loose appearing abdominal skin.
The occurrence of bowel sounds every 5 to 15 seconds and the absence of peristaltic waves on the
abdomen are expected/normal findings and therefore not indicative of a problem with bowel
elimination.
A nurse is caring for four patients. While collecting stool specimens for laboratory examination, the
nurse observes the stool colors. Which patient does the nurse suspect to be taking iron supplements?
Black or tarry stool indicates iron ingestion or gastrointestinal bleeding; therefore, patient B is most
likely to be taking iron supplements. White or clay-colored stool indicates an absence of bile. Red
stool may indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, hemorrhoids, or ingestion of beets. Brown stool is a
normal finding.
A nurse is assessing a patient with diarrhea. Which question will help determine the presence of other
symptoms?
1
"Do you feel bloated after eating?"
2
"Do you have to strain to have a bowel movement?"
3
"Have you had fever, chills, weight loss, or abdominal pain recently?"
4
"Do you have abdominal or rectal pain when you have a bowel movement?"
3
"Have you had fever, chills, weight loss, or abdominal pain recently?"
Diarrhea may be associated with fever, chills, weight loss, or abdominal pain; therefore, the nurse
should ask the patient about the presence of these symptoms. A bloated feeling after eating may be
present in patients with indigestion. Patients with constipation may have to strain to have a bowel
movement and may have abdominal or rectal pain when they have a bowel movement.
The nurse is teaching a patient healthy bowel habits. Which information should be included in the
teaching? Select all that apply.
1
Laxatives should be used regularly.
2
Dietary fibers should be an essential component of the diet.
3
Fluid intake should be at least 6 to 8 glasses of water per day.
4
Physical exercises should be avoided to prevent constipation.
5
Stress management techniques should be practiced.
2
Dietary fibers should be an essential component of the diet.
3
Fluid intake should be at least 6 to 8 glasses of water per day.
5
Stress management techniques should be practiced.
Consuming dietary fiber increases the bulk of stool and helps in better bowel elimination. Maintaining
adequate fluid intake increases the water content of the stool, prevents it from hardening, and
permits easy passage through the rectum and anus. Stress can cause constipation; therefore, the
patient should be instructed to practice stress management techniques. Laxatives should not be used
, regularly, because the bowel becomes habituated to laxative use. Physical activity helps prevent
constipation by facilitating bowel movements.
A patient is admitted to the hospital with constipation. Which could be a possible reason?
1
Reduced fluid intake
2
Vigorous exercise
3
Antibiotic use via any route
4
Food allergies
1
Reduced fluid intake
A reduced fluid intake may make the stool hard and difficult to pass, causing constipation. A lack of
exercise usually results in constipation due to slow peristalsis. Antibiotic use destroys the intestinal
flora and causes diarrhea. Food allergies also tend to induce diarrhea by increasing the peristalsis.
Which may be recommended for a patient in whom fecal impaction is suspected?
1
Gastroscopy
2
Barium swallow
3
Fecal occult blood test
4
Digital examination of the rectum
4
Digital examination of the rectum
Digital examination of the rectum may be recommended for a patient in whom fecal impaction is
suspected. Gastroscopy is used to gain direct visualization of the upper gastrointestinal tract. A
barium swallow is a radiographic examination using an opaque contrast medium (barium, which is
swallowed) to examine the structure and motility of the upper gastrointestinal tract. The fecal occult
blood test is a stool test to measure microscopic amounts of blood in the feces. These examinations
may not be recommended for a patient in whom fecal impaction is suspected.
The nurse is caring for a 78-year-old man with diarrhea. Which problem is the most important to
consider?
1
Malnutrition
2
Dehydration
3
Skin breakdown
4
Incontinence
2
Dehydration
Diarrhea interferes with absorption time of digestive juices. With frequent loose, watery stools,
dehydration becomes a major problem in the older adult. Skin breakdown is another outcome of
diarrhea that should be prevented with meticulous hygiene, though it is not the most important
Elimination Exam Questions With 100% Correct
Answers
Which are causes of diarrhea? Select all that apply.
1
Antibiotic use
2
Lack of exercise
3
Clostridium difficile
4
Reduced fluid intake
5
Surgeries of the lower gastrointestinal tract
1
Antibiotic use
3
Clostridium difficile
5
Surgeries of the lower gastrointestinal tract
Antibiotic use, Clostridium difficile, and surgeries and diagnostic testing of the lower gastrointestinal
tract may cause diarrhea. Lack of exercise and reduced fluid intake may cause constipation.
Which medication may be used to promote defecation?
1
Codeine
2
Laxatives
3
Loperamide
4
Opium tincture
2
Laxatives
Laxatives are often prescribed to promote defecation in patients with constipation. Codeine and
opium tincture may be used to manage chronic severe diarrhea in patients with Crohn's disease,
ulcerative colitis, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Loperamide is also an antidiarrheal agent.
Which assessment finding would the nurse associate with a problem with bowel elimination?
1
A bowel movement every 5 days
2
Loose appearing abdominal skin
3
Bowel sounds every 5 to 15 seconds
4
Absence of peristaltic waves on the abdomen
1
A bowel movement every 5 days
A bowel movement every 5 days indicates constipation, which is an abnormal finding, thus a problem
with bowel elimination. Abdominal distension, indicated by taut and stretched abdominal skin, may
,be seen in patients with altered bowel elimination, as opposed to loose appearing abdominal skin.
The occurrence of bowel sounds every 5 to 15 seconds and the absence of peristaltic waves on the
abdomen are expected/normal findings and therefore not indicative of a problem with bowel
elimination.
A nurse is caring for four patients. While collecting stool specimens for laboratory examination, the
nurse observes the stool colors. Which patient does the nurse suspect to be taking iron supplements?
Black or tarry stool indicates iron ingestion or gastrointestinal bleeding; therefore, patient B is most
likely to be taking iron supplements. White or clay-colored stool indicates an absence of bile. Red
stool may indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, hemorrhoids, or ingestion of beets. Brown stool is a
normal finding.
A nurse is assessing a patient with diarrhea. Which question will help determine the presence of other
symptoms?
1
"Do you feel bloated after eating?"
2
"Do you have to strain to have a bowel movement?"
3
"Have you had fever, chills, weight loss, or abdominal pain recently?"
4
"Do you have abdominal or rectal pain when you have a bowel movement?"
3
"Have you had fever, chills, weight loss, or abdominal pain recently?"
Diarrhea may be associated with fever, chills, weight loss, or abdominal pain; therefore, the nurse
should ask the patient about the presence of these symptoms. A bloated feeling after eating may be
present in patients with indigestion. Patients with constipation may have to strain to have a bowel
movement and may have abdominal or rectal pain when they have a bowel movement.
The nurse is teaching a patient healthy bowel habits. Which information should be included in the
teaching? Select all that apply.
1
Laxatives should be used regularly.
2
Dietary fibers should be an essential component of the diet.
3
Fluid intake should be at least 6 to 8 glasses of water per day.
4
Physical exercises should be avoided to prevent constipation.
5
Stress management techniques should be practiced.
2
Dietary fibers should be an essential component of the diet.
3
Fluid intake should be at least 6 to 8 glasses of water per day.
5
Stress management techniques should be practiced.
Consuming dietary fiber increases the bulk of stool and helps in better bowel elimination. Maintaining
adequate fluid intake increases the water content of the stool, prevents it from hardening, and
permits easy passage through the rectum and anus. Stress can cause constipation; therefore, the
patient should be instructed to practice stress management techniques. Laxatives should not be used
, regularly, because the bowel becomes habituated to laxative use. Physical activity helps prevent
constipation by facilitating bowel movements.
A patient is admitted to the hospital with constipation. Which could be a possible reason?
1
Reduced fluid intake
2
Vigorous exercise
3
Antibiotic use via any route
4
Food allergies
1
Reduced fluid intake
A reduced fluid intake may make the stool hard and difficult to pass, causing constipation. A lack of
exercise usually results in constipation due to slow peristalsis. Antibiotic use destroys the intestinal
flora and causes diarrhea. Food allergies also tend to induce diarrhea by increasing the peristalsis.
Which may be recommended for a patient in whom fecal impaction is suspected?
1
Gastroscopy
2
Barium swallow
3
Fecal occult blood test
4
Digital examination of the rectum
4
Digital examination of the rectum
Digital examination of the rectum may be recommended for a patient in whom fecal impaction is
suspected. Gastroscopy is used to gain direct visualization of the upper gastrointestinal tract. A
barium swallow is a radiographic examination using an opaque contrast medium (barium, which is
swallowed) to examine the structure and motility of the upper gastrointestinal tract. The fecal occult
blood test is a stool test to measure microscopic amounts of blood in the feces. These examinations
may not be recommended for a patient in whom fecal impaction is suspected.
The nurse is caring for a 78-year-old man with diarrhea. Which problem is the most important to
consider?
1
Malnutrition
2
Dehydration
3
Skin breakdown
4
Incontinence
2
Dehydration
Diarrhea interferes with absorption time of digestive juices. With frequent loose, watery stools,
dehydration becomes a major problem in the older adult. Skin breakdown is another outcome of
diarrhea that should be prevented with meticulous hygiene, though it is not the most important
