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Ascending colon
Very liquid stool, no pattern
Transverse colon
Stool becoming more formed, but still liquid
Descending colon
Stool losing water to reabsorption, becoming thick and formed
Sigmoid colon
Formed stool
Rectum
Most formed, storage until evacuation occurs (if not evacuated, site of fecal
impaction)
,Normal abdomen assessment
Soft
Non-distended
Non-tender
Symmetrical
Active bowel sounds x4 quadrants
Abnormal abdomen assessment
Firm
Distended
Tender
Asymmetrical
Absent bowel sounds (paralytic ileus)
Peristalsis
Under control of the nervous system
Contractions occur every 3-12 minutes
Mass peristalsis sweeps occur ___ to ____ times each 24 hour period
1-4
____ to ____ of food waste is excreted in stool within 24 hours
1/3 to 1/2 (normal transit time)
,Rapid transit times
Loose stools, diarrhea, less absorption of nutrients, less water reabsorbed
Delayed transit times
Constipation, too much water reabsorbed, dry stools
Type I stool
Separate hard lumps, like nuts (hard to pass)
Type 2 stool
Sausage-shaped but lumpy
Type 3 stool
Like a sausage, but with cracks on its surface
Type 4 stool
Like a sausage or snake, smooth and soft
Type 5 stool
, Soft blobs with clear-cut edges (passed easily)
Type 6 stool
Fluffy pieces with ragged edges, a mushy stool
Type 7 stool
Watery, no solid pieces. Entirely liquid
Variables influencing bowel elimination
Age/developmental considerations
Personal habits/daily patterns
Food/fluid intake
Physical activity and muscle tone
Lifestyle, psychological variables
Pathologic conditions (disease, pain, pg)
Medications
Diagnostic tests
Surgery and anethesia
Constipation foods
Cheese
Lean meat
Eggs