BSNC 3000: MODULE 5: ELIMINATION & CONSTIPATION TEST
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
What is another name for functional obstructions? -- Answer ✔✔ Paralytic ileus
What is post-op paralytic ileus? -- Answer ✔✔ Delay in the return of intestinal motility
after surgery that restricts the passage of bowel contents
What is the normal return in motility time frame? -- Answer ✔✔ 1-3 days
What are the signs and symptoms of post-op paralytic ileus? -- Answer ✔✔ Abdominal
discomfort/distension, N/V, retention of stool/flatus, inability to tolerate an oral diet
If the impairment of intestinal motility persists for more than 3 days, it's called? --
Answer ✔✔ Prolonged post-op ileus
What are the risk factors for post-op paralytic ileus? -- Answer ✔✔ - abdominal surgery
- opioids, anesthesia
- PSR
- fluid imbalances
- electrolyte imbalances
- NPO/delayed enteral nutrition
- decreased mobility
Most mechanical bowel obstructions affect the small intestines? -- Answer ✔✔ True
A tumour is the most common cause of mechanical obstruction affecting the large
intestines? -- Answer ✔✔ True
, Why might some mechanical obstructions require surgery? -- Answer ✔✔ Tumours
could be cancerous or ischemia can occur
When blood vessels are compressed or twisted, the following complications can occur?
-- Answer ✔✔ - Intestinal segments can become ischemic
- progresses to infarction and gangrene
- risk of perforation causing peritonitis and sepsis
- requires immediate surgical intervention
What are the manifestations of mechanical obstructions? -- Answer ✔✔ - Abdominal
distension/tenderness
- pain (colicky)
- bowel sounds (rumbling/high-pitched)
- N/V
- constipation/obstipation
Where does the gas come from? -- Answer ✔✔ 70% is swallowed air, bacterial
digestion
Where does fluid come from? -- Answer ✔✔ Consumed or digestive secretions
What happens if the obstruction persists? -- Answer ✔✔ Increased pressure on
intestinal wall can compress arteries, causing ischemia and risk of rupture
What are the manifestations of functional obstruction? -- Answer ✔✔ Steady
discomfort/pain and absent/hypoactive bowel sounds
The presence of bowel sounds indicates the full return of bowel function in a patient
with a paralytic ileus? -- Answer ✔✔ False
All patients have their bowel function assessed every shift? -- Answer ✔✔ True
How do you assess for constipation? -- Answer ✔✔ - perform a focused GI assessment
- assess fluid, fibre, and food intake
- assess mobility
- assess pain (PSR) and pain meds
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
What is another name for functional obstructions? -- Answer ✔✔ Paralytic ileus
What is post-op paralytic ileus? -- Answer ✔✔ Delay in the return of intestinal motility
after surgery that restricts the passage of bowel contents
What is the normal return in motility time frame? -- Answer ✔✔ 1-3 days
What are the signs and symptoms of post-op paralytic ileus? -- Answer ✔✔ Abdominal
discomfort/distension, N/V, retention of stool/flatus, inability to tolerate an oral diet
If the impairment of intestinal motility persists for more than 3 days, it's called? --
Answer ✔✔ Prolonged post-op ileus
What are the risk factors for post-op paralytic ileus? -- Answer ✔✔ - abdominal surgery
- opioids, anesthesia
- PSR
- fluid imbalances
- electrolyte imbalances
- NPO/delayed enteral nutrition
- decreased mobility
Most mechanical bowel obstructions affect the small intestines? -- Answer ✔✔ True
A tumour is the most common cause of mechanical obstruction affecting the large
intestines? -- Answer ✔✔ True
, Why might some mechanical obstructions require surgery? -- Answer ✔✔ Tumours
could be cancerous or ischemia can occur
When blood vessels are compressed or twisted, the following complications can occur?
-- Answer ✔✔ - Intestinal segments can become ischemic
- progresses to infarction and gangrene
- risk of perforation causing peritonitis and sepsis
- requires immediate surgical intervention
What are the manifestations of mechanical obstructions? -- Answer ✔✔ - Abdominal
distension/tenderness
- pain (colicky)
- bowel sounds (rumbling/high-pitched)
- N/V
- constipation/obstipation
Where does the gas come from? -- Answer ✔✔ 70% is swallowed air, bacterial
digestion
Where does fluid come from? -- Answer ✔✔ Consumed or digestive secretions
What happens if the obstruction persists? -- Answer ✔✔ Increased pressure on
intestinal wall can compress arteries, causing ischemia and risk of rupture
What are the manifestations of functional obstruction? -- Answer ✔✔ Steady
discomfort/pain and absent/hypoactive bowel sounds
The presence of bowel sounds indicates the full return of bowel function in a patient
with a paralytic ileus? -- Answer ✔✔ False
All patients have their bowel function assessed every shift? -- Answer ✔✔ True
How do you assess for constipation? -- Answer ✔✔ - perform a focused GI assessment
- assess fluid, fibre, and food intake
- assess mobility
- assess pain (PSR) and pain meds
