BSN 206 FOUNDATIONS OF 2025
NURSING FUNDAMENTALS
HALLMARK EXAM
ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS IN THIS SECTION
QUESTION 1
What medications and/or diagnostic preparations can affect bowel
elimination?
Iron preparations can cause constipation.
Abuse of laxatives or cathartics can cause constipation or diarrhea.
diagnostic preparations are used to promote bowel emptying
opioids such as codeine slow peristalsis, causing constipation
antacids containing aluminum can lead to constipation
QUESTION 2
Impaction of the bowels
hard, formed stool lodged in the rectum often caused by prolonged constipation
QUESTION 3
fecal incontinence causes
inability to control the passage of flatus (gas) and feces fromt the anus
END OF
PAGE 1
, BSN 206 FOUNDATIONS OF 2025
NURSING FUNDAMENTALS
HALLMARK EXAM
QUESTION 4
Flatulence
The accumulation of gas in the opening of the intestine. A reduction in GI motility
can result in an accumulation of gases in the intestine with abdominal distention
resulting in pain
QUESTION 5
Hemorrhoids can result from an increase in venous pressure caused by
increased pressure on the floor of the pelvis?
True
Dilated and engorged veins in the lining of the rectum. They occur because of an
increase in venous pressure from straining during defecation.
QUESTION 6
What are the signs of constipation?
END OF
PAGE 2
, BSN 206 FOUNDATIONS OF 2025
NURSING FUNDAMENTALS
HALLMARK EXAM
infrequent bowel movement (less than every 3 days)
difficulty in evacuating feces
inability to defecate
hard fecal material
QUESTION 7
Why does straining to evacuate hard feces cause problems for recent
abdominal, gynecological, or rectal surgery patients?
act of straining may cause the sutures to separate, reopening the incision
QUESTION 8
Patients with a history of cardiovascular disease, glaucoma, and increased
intracranial pressure should avoid straining.
True
QUESTION 9
What are interventions for the control of constipation?
END OF
PAGE 3
, BSN 206 FOUNDATIONS OF 2025
NURSING FUNDAMENTALS
HALLMARK EXAM
Initially these include changes in lifestyle, such as increased dietary fiber,
increased fluids, moderate exercise, and elimination of laxative use (Ball et al,
2015; Touhy and Jett, 2018). If lifestyle measures are unsuccessful, then stepwise
levels of interventions should be tried. Bulk-forming laxatives such as psyllium
(Metamucil) and methylcellulose (Citrucel) are safe and add bulk to the fecal
material. These laxatives can then be followed by or used in combination with a
saline laxative such as magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia) or an osmotic
laxative such as lactulose (Chronulac). If constipation continues, stimulant
laxatives such as bisacodyl (Ducolax) or senna (Senokot) may provide relief.
Emollient laxatives such as mineral oil are avoided because they have been
associated with lipoid aspiration pneumonia.
QUESTION 10
What are common causes of constipation?
1. irritable bowel syndrome
2. chronic illnesses
3. low-fiber diet high in animals fats
4. medications
5. Laxative misuse
6. older adults
7. colonic action slowed by medications
QUESTION 11
END OF
PAGE 4
NURSING FUNDAMENTALS
HALLMARK EXAM
ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS IN THIS SECTION
QUESTION 1
What medications and/or diagnostic preparations can affect bowel
elimination?
Iron preparations can cause constipation.
Abuse of laxatives or cathartics can cause constipation or diarrhea.
diagnostic preparations are used to promote bowel emptying
opioids such as codeine slow peristalsis, causing constipation
antacids containing aluminum can lead to constipation
QUESTION 2
Impaction of the bowels
hard, formed stool lodged in the rectum often caused by prolonged constipation
QUESTION 3
fecal incontinence causes
inability to control the passage of flatus (gas) and feces fromt the anus
END OF
PAGE 1
, BSN 206 FOUNDATIONS OF 2025
NURSING FUNDAMENTALS
HALLMARK EXAM
QUESTION 4
Flatulence
The accumulation of gas in the opening of the intestine. A reduction in GI motility
can result in an accumulation of gases in the intestine with abdominal distention
resulting in pain
QUESTION 5
Hemorrhoids can result from an increase in venous pressure caused by
increased pressure on the floor of the pelvis?
True
Dilated and engorged veins in the lining of the rectum. They occur because of an
increase in venous pressure from straining during defecation.
QUESTION 6
What are the signs of constipation?
END OF
PAGE 2
, BSN 206 FOUNDATIONS OF 2025
NURSING FUNDAMENTALS
HALLMARK EXAM
infrequent bowel movement (less than every 3 days)
difficulty in evacuating feces
inability to defecate
hard fecal material
QUESTION 7
Why does straining to evacuate hard feces cause problems for recent
abdominal, gynecological, or rectal surgery patients?
act of straining may cause the sutures to separate, reopening the incision
QUESTION 8
Patients with a history of cardiovascular disease, glaucoma, and increased
intracranial pressure should avoid straining.
True
QUESTION 9
What are interventions for the control of constipation?
END OF
PAGE 3
, BSN 206 FOUNDATIONS OF 2025
NURSING FUNDAMENTALS
HALLMARK EXAM
Initially these include changes in lifestyle, such as increased dietary fiber,
increased fluids, moderate exercise, and elimination of laxative use (Ball et al,
2015; Touhy and Jett, 2018). If lifestyle measures are unsuccessful, then stepwise
levels of interventions should be tried. Bulk-forming laxatives such as psyllium
(Metamucil) and methylcellulose (Citrucel) are safe and add bulk to the fecal
material. These laxatives can then be followed by or used in combination with a
saline laxative such as magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia) or an osmotic
laxative such as lactulose (Chronulac). If constipation continues, stimulant
laxatives such as bisacodyl (Ducolax) or senna (Senokot) may provide relief.
Emollient laxatives such as mineral oil are avoided because they have been
associated with lipoid aspiration pneumonia.
QUESTION 10
What are common causes of constipation?
1. irritable bowel syndrome
2. chronic illnesses
3. low-fiber diet high in animals fats
4. medications
5. Laxative misuse
6. older adults
7. colonic action slowed by medications
QUESTION 11
END OF
PAGE 4
