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74 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
____ is rhythmic smooth muscle contractions of the intestinal wall that moves things forward.
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Peristalsis
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The voluntary contraction of the muscles of the abdominal wall and closing of the glottis increase intraabdominal pressure by 4-5 times. This aids us in passing feces and is known as _____.
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valsalva maneuver
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The valsalva maneuver is contraindicated in people with ____.
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cardiovascular disease/disorders
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The expulsion of feces from the anus and rectum is called _____.
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defacation
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The ___ takes food from the larynx to the stomach.
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esophagus
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Food is chemically digested and most is absorbed as it moves thru the _____.
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small intestine
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The small intestine consists of 3 sections:
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duodenum
jejunum ilium |
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The major function of the colon/large intestine is to
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eliminate undigestible food residue from the body.
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The 4 parts of the large intestine are:
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cecum
ascending colon transverse colon descending colon |
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The large intestine absorbs ____, _____, and _____.
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water
salts vitamins |
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The ____ is where feces is retained.
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rectum
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The _____ is the end of the digestive tract. It includes the internal involuntary sphincter and external voluntary sphincter.
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anus
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An infamt's first stool is _____. It is black and tar-like from ingested amniotic fluids, epithelial cells and bile.
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merconium
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The ____ sphincter is only open during the defecation process.
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external voluntary
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_____ is bright red blood in the stool.
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Hematochezia
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_____ is fatty, frothy, foul smelling stool that can be caused by a decrease in pancreatic enzyme secretion.
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Steatorrhea
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The normal feces color in adults is ____.
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brown
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The normal feces color in infants is _____.
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yellow
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Feces that is clay or white is abnormal and may be from...
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absence of bile pigments or a diagnostic study using barium.
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Feces that is black or tarry is abnormal and may be from...
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taking a drug such as iron, bleeding from upper GI tract, diet high in red meat and dark green vegetables.
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Feces that are red are abnormal and could be due to...
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bleeding from lower GI tract, some foods.
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Feces that are pale in color are abnormal and could be due to...
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malabsorption of fats, diets high in milk and milk products and low in meats.
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Feces that are orange or green are abnormal and could be due to...
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intestinal infection
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The normal consistency of feces is
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formed, soft, semisolid, moist
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Abnormal consistency for feces is _____. This could indicate dehydration, decreased intestinal motility resulting from lack of fiber in diet, lack of exercise, emotional upset, or laxative abuse. Also ____ is abnormal and could be due to increased intestinal motility.
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hard, dry
diarrhea |
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The normal shape of feces is...
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cylindrical and about 1 inch in diameter for adults
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Abnormal shape for feces is...
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narrow, pencil shaped, or string-like
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The normal amount of feces per day is about
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100-400g (varies with diet)
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The normal aroma of feces is _____ not pungent.
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aromatic
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Pungent smelling feces could be caused by...
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infection or blood
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Normal constituents of feces are
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small amounts of undigested roughage, sloughed dead bacteria and epithelial cells, fat, protein, and dried constituents of digestive juices
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Abnormal constituents of feces include:
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pus, mucus, parasites, blood, large quantities of fat, and foreign objects.
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Pus in feces may be d/t...
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bacterial infection
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Mucus in feces may be d/t...
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inflammatory condition
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Blood in feces may be d/t...
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GI bleeding
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Large quantities of fat in feces may be d/t...
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malabsorption
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Foreign objects in feces may be d/t...
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accidental ingestion
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_____ is black, tarry stool that usually occurs with upper GI bleed.
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Melena
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A barium enema may cause ____ stool.
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white, chalky
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Anxious/angry people may have an ___ in peristalsis which can lead to diarrhea or nausea.
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increase
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Depression may lead to _____ intestinal activity resulting in constipation.
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decreased
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_____ medications increase GI motility and promote defecation.
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Cathardic
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_____ and ____ can cause decreased or ceased intestinal movements.
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Anesthesia and Surgery
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When should you listen to bowel sounds in regards to surgery?
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before and after
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Pain is a factor affecting bowel elimination and could be r/t...
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-hemorrhoids
-surgery -constipation |
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Fecal elimination problems include:
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-constipation
-fecal impaction -diarrhea -bowel incontinence -flatulence |
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____ is the decreased frequency of defecation. It results in hard, dry, formed stools that are painful.
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Constipation
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Causes of constipation include:
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-insufficient fiber and fluid intake
-insufficient activity -irregular habits |
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_____ is a mass or collection of hardened feces in the folds of the rectum. It may happen with people who are constipated or on bed rest or may be ignoring the urge to go.
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Fecal impaction
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When there is fecal impaction you will see passage of ____ and no _____.
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liquid fecal seepage
no normal stool |
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Causes of fecal impaction include:
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poor defecation habits and constipation
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_____ is the passage of liquid feces and increased frequency of defecation.
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Diarrhea
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Major causes of diarrhea include:
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stress, medications, allergies, intolerance of food or fluids, disease of colon
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S/Sx of diarrhea include:
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-spasmodic cramps
-increased (hyperactive) bowel sounds -fatigue -weakness -malaise -emaciation |
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______ is the loss of voluntary ability to control fecal and gaseous discharges.
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Bowel Incontinence
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The prevalence of bowel incontinence increases with ___.
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age
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Bowel incontinence is generally associated with...
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impaired functioning of the anal sphincter of nerve supply
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Training can help with bowel continence. Some examples are:
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establishing daily routine, use measures to promote defecation, avoid meds that cause increase in defecation, teach clients about proper positioning, exercise, and fluid/fiber intake.
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____ is the presence of excessive gas/flatus in the intestines. It leads to stretching and inflation of intestines (intestinal distention).
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Flatulence
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Flatulence may be caused by...
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certain foods, carbonated beverages, chewing gum, drinking straws, not moving around enough
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When obtaining the nursing history of bowel elimination it is important to note:
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-client's normal pattern
-description of usual feces -recent changes -past problems with elimination -presence of an ostomy -diet-fiber/fluid intake |
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Warning signs of colon cancer include:
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-change in bowel pattern
-blood in stool -change in character of stool -sensation of incomplete emptying after bowel movement -rectal/abdominal pain |
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During physical examination of the bowel elimination system the nurse should...
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-examine the abdomen, rectum, and anus
-auscultate then palpate -inspect feces for color, consistency, shape, amount, odor, and abnormal constituents -review data from relevant diagnostic tests |
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Interventions to manage constipation are:
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-administer meds (laxatives and cathartics)
-administer enemas (last resort) -remove impaction -encourage fiber intake (25-30g/day) -encourage fluid intake or 2-3L/day -encourage physical activity |
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Docusate is a _____.
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stool softener
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____ are used with caution. A physician must recommend after other things have been tried or the patient is very uncomfortable.
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Laxatives
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______ are a strong stimulant of peristalsis that lead to defecation.
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Cathartics
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_____ is a main concern with older adults who become fixated on bowel routine.
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Perceived constipation
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Three different nursing diagnoses for constipation are:
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Constipation
Perceived Constipation Risk for Constipation |
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____ and ____ can be a medical or a nursing diagnosis.
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Constipation and Diarrhea
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Hypoactive bowel sounds often accompany _____.
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constipation
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Hyperactive bowel sounds often accompany _____.
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diarrhea
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Interventions to alleviate/manage diarrhea are:
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-identify cause
-observe and record number and consistency per day -practice food safety -avoid/limit certain foods/fluids (high fiber/fat, spicy, alcohol, caffeine) -restore fluids and electrolytes -anti-diarrheal medications |
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General interventions for Diarrhea are:
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-promoting regular defections
-teaching about medications -decreasing flatulence -administering enemas -digital removal of a fecal impaction -instituting bowel training programs -applying a fecal incontinence pouch -ostomy management |