Exam 30: Promoting Bowel Elimination

A nurse is caring for a patient who had bowel surgery 3 days ago and is now beginning to have a well-functioning ostomy. The ostomy drainage bag should be emptied whenever it is:

The gastrocolic reflex initiates ________.

The nurse caring for a patient who had a colostomy 2 days ago assesses slight bleeding around the stoma when the area is cleansed, colostomy bag filled with gas, pale stoma, and a reddened area under the adhesive of the appliance. The assessment that should be reported immediately is the assessment pertaining to the:

A patient with a new colostomy should have the hole in the faceplate cut to allow _____ inch around the stoma.

The nurse is caring for an anxious patient who is scheduled for surgery for colostomy placement. While the nurse is talking to the patient, the patient states, "I am so scared." The nurse's most supportive response would be:

An older adult resident in a long-term care facility has experienced constant diarrhea for 3 days and is now exhibiting signs and symptoms of dehydration. The nurse initiates an intervention to offer small amounts of ________ frequently.

A nurse is monitoring bowel elimination of a patient who has a history of constipation. The nurse implements measures to assist with bowel elimination if the patient has not had a bowel movement within how many days?

A patient has just completed a series of upper gastrointestinal tract radiographs that involved the use of barium as a contrast agent. Which measure will this patient need to help excrete the barium?

The nurse points out that age-related changes in the intestinal tract are relatively insignificant. The changes include: (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is preparing a cleansing enema for an adult patient who is constipated and has not responded to laxative use. Before giving the enema, the nurse should:

A nurse has performed abdominal assessments on four patients. After reviewing the findings, the nurse is least concerned about problems with bowel elimination for the patient with:

The nurse instructs a patient with a new colostomy against eating food that may cause an obstruction. These foods include: (Select all that apply.)

A patient calls the nurse at the health clinic and reports that since his trip to Mexico, he has been experiencing diarrhea. The nurse suggests he try the antidiarrheal drug:

The nurse has documented that a patient has had two episodes of steatorrhea, which means that the character of the stool is:

A patient with a colostomy asks about foods that can be eaten that will reduce odor in the ostomy drainage bag. The most informative response by the nurse is to say that ostomy odor can be decreased with the intake of:

The nurse reminds a group of older adults that a colonoscopy is recommended every _______ year(s) after the age of 50.

The nurse instructs the patient who has had an ileostomy to modify the diet to include: (Select all that apply.)

An ambulatory clinic patient telephones to report diarrhea and to ask for advice on medication to manage it. The best response by the nurse is, "Do not use antidiarrheal medication for longer than:

An older adult patient who routinely takes the bulk forming laxative psyllium (Metamucil) is counseled by the home health nurse that in order to prevent constipation and possible fecal impaction, this patient should be sure to take:

A patient who is badly constipated has just received an oil retention enema. The nurse encourages this patient to try to hold the enema for at least how long before trying to have a bowel movement?