Nursing Exam Bowel Elimination Questions & Answers

Treas/Wilkinson 29-1
Basic Nursing
ETB
Chapter 29. Bowel Elimination

Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

____ 1. When changing a diaper, the nurse observes that a 2-day-old infant has passed a green-black, tarry
stool. What should the nurse do?
1)
Notify the provider immediately.
2)
Do nothing; this is normal.
3)
Give the baby sterile water until the mother’s milk comes in.
4)
Apply a skin barrier cream to the buttocks to prevent irritation.

ANS: 2
The nurse should do nothing; this is normal. During the first few days of life, a term newborn
passes green-black, tarry stools known as meconium. Stools transition to a yellow-green color over
the next few days. After that, the appearance of stools depends upon the feedings the newborn
receives. Sterile water does nothing to alter this progression. Meconium stools are more irritating
to the buttocks than other stools because they are so sticky and the skin usually must be rubbed to
cleanse it. However, meconium leads to skin breakdown like a watery stool does.

PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 968
KEY: Nursing process: Interventions | Client need: HPM | Cognitive level: Application



____ 2. Considering normal developmental and physical maturation in children, for which age would a
goal of “Achieves bowel control by the end of this month” be most realistic?
1)
18 months
2)
3 years
3)
4 years
4)
5 years

ANS: 2
Between ages 2 and 3 years, a child can typically control defecation, thereby making toilet training
possible. Nevertheless, some children, especially boys, may not achieve consistent bowel control
until somewhat later.

PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: pp. 968-969

, Treas/Wilkinson 29-2
Basic Nursing
ETB
KEY: Nursing process: Planning | Client need: HPM | Cognitive level: Comprehension



____ 3. The nurse educates a patient about the primary risk factors for irritable bowel syndrome. Which
behavior by the patient would be evidence of learning? The patient:
1)
Reduces her intake of gluten-containing products.
2)
Does not consume foods that contain lactose.
3)
Consumes only two servings of caffeinated beverages per day.
4)
Takes measures to reduce her stress level.

ANS: 4
Stress is a primary factor in the development of irritable bowel syndrome. Other risk factors
include caffeine consumption and lactose intolerance; however, they are not primary risk factors.
Celiac disease is associated with gluten intake.

PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 969
KEY: Nursing process: Evaluation | Client need: PHSI | Cognitive level: Application



____ 4. Which of the following goals is appropriate for a patient with a nursing diagnosis of Constipation?
The patient increases the intake of:
1)
Milk and cheese.
2)
Bread and pasta.
3)
Fruits and vegetables.
4)
Lean meats.

ANS: 3
The nurse should encourage the patient to increase his intake of foods rich in fiber because they
promote peristalsis and defecation, thereby relieving constipation. Low-fiber foods, such as bread,
pasta, and other simple carbohydrates, as well as milk, cheese, and lean meat, slow peristalsis.

PTS: 1 DIF: Moderate REF: p. 978
KEY: Nursing process: Planning | Client need: PHSI | Cognitive level: Application