Deck 19: Assisting With Bowel Elimination

Question 1

Which statement about bowel elimination is correct?

A) Low-fiber foods provide needed bulk to prevent constipation.
B) Exercise decreases peristalsis.
C) Changes in the gastro-intestinal tract from aging cause feces to pass through the intestines at a faster rate.
D) Lack of privacy can prevent a bowel movement despite having the urge.

Answer 1

Lack of privacy can prevent a bowel movement despite having the urge.

Question 2

Which foods leave a residue needed for normal bowel elimination?

A) Milk and milk products
B) Chocolate and other sweets
C) Fruits and vegetables
D) Fried foods

Answer 2

Fruits and vegetables

Question 3

Flatus is

A) The excessive formation of gas in the stomach and intestines
B) Gas or air passed through the anus
C) A black, tarry stool
D) Excreted feces

Answer 3

Gas or air passed through the anus

Question 4

Which fluids increase peristalsis?

A) Cold fluids
B) Warm fluids
C) Alcoholic beverages
D) Thick beverages

Question 5

A colostomy is a surgically created opening between the

A) Small intestine and abdominal wall
B) Colon and abdominal wall
C) Ileum and abdominal wall
D) Rectum and abdominal wall

Question 6

Which statement about normal bowel elimination is incorrect?

A) A bowel movement is needed every day.
B) Stools are normally brown.
C) Stools are normally soft, formed, moist, and shaped like the rectum.
D) Stools normally have an odor.

Question 7

If a person is constipated, you would expect the person's stools to be

A) Large or marble-sized
B) Liquid
C) Soft and shaped like the rectum
D) Black and tarry

Question 8

What is the usual position for defecation?

A) Sitting or squatting
B) Sims'
C) Semi-Fowler's
D) Left side-lying

Question 9

A resident has finished defecating. Do the following except

A) Assist with perineal care as needed
B) Dispose of stools promptly
C) Assist the person with hand washing
D) Give the person a suppository

Question 10

Constipation is

A) Passage of a hard, dry stool
B) Frequent passage of liquid stools
C) Prolonged retention and accumulation of feces in the rectum
D) Inability to control the passage of feces and gas through the anus

Question 11

A resident is complaining of constipation. Which measure will not relieve constipation?

A) Increasing the person's fluid intake
B) Encouraging the person to walk more
C) Following the urge to have a BM
D) Providing a low-fiber diet

Question 12

If a person is constipated, you would expect the person's stools to be

A) Hard and dry
B) Liquid
C) Soft and formed
D) Putty-like

Question 13

An enema is

A) The excessive loss of water from tissues
B) The introduction of fluid into the rectum and lower colon
C) Gas or air in the stomach or intestines
D) A cone-shaped, solid drug inserted into a body opening

Question 14

Flatulence is

A) The excessive formation of gas or air in the stomach and intestines
B) Gas or air passed through the anus
C) A black, tarry stool
D) Excreted feces

Question 15

Fecal impaction is

A) Passage of a hard, dry stool
B) Frequent passage of liquid stools
C) Prolonged retention and buildup of feces in the rectum
D) Inability to control the passage of feces and gas through the anus

Question 16

Gas-forming foods aid defecation because they

A) Form chyme
B) Stimulate peristalsis
C) Absorb fluid
D) Are easy to chew and digest

Question 17

You are assisting a resident with elimination. Which action is incorrect?

A) Close doors, the privacy curtain, and window coverings.
B) Follow Standard Precautions and the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard.
C) Place the signal light and toilet tissue within reach.
D) Stand next to the person until the person is finished.

Question 18

To promote normal bowel elimination, how many glasses of water does a person need daily?

A) 2 to 4
B) 4 to 6
C) 6 to 8
D) 8 to 10

Question 19

Defecation is

A) Passage of a hard, dry stool
B) Frequent passage of liquid stools
C) Prolonged retention and accumulation of feces in the rectum
D) The process of excreting feces from the rectum through the anus

Question 20

Fecal incontinence is the

A) Passage of a hard, dry stool
B) Frequent passage of liquid stools
C) Prolonged retention and accumulation of feces in the rectum
D) Inability to control the passage of feces and gas through the anus

Question 21

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a microbe that

A) Causes constipation and fecal impaction
B) Causes diarrhea and intestinal infection
C) Is found mainly in water
D) Is airborne

Question 22

Which is not a symptom of fecal impaction?

A) Abdominal discomfort
B) Rectal pain
C) Nausea
D) Joint pain

Question 23

A resident has diarrhea. To prevent odors and the spread of microbes, you need to do the following except

A) Practice Standard Precautions
B) Follow the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard
C) Dispose of stools promptly
D) Have the person use the commode

Question 24

The nurse gave a patient a suppository. When should you expect the person to have a bowel movement?

A) Right away
B) In 10 minutes
C) In 15 minutes
D) In 30 minutes

Question 25

The doctor ordered a saline enema. What is added to water to prepare the enema solution?

A) Mineral oil
B) A drug
C) Castile soap
D) Salt

Question 26

A patient complains of flatulence. The person has the following food choices. Which does not cause flatulence?

A) Onions
B) Beans
C) Cauliflower
D) Potatoes

Question 27

What is the preferred position for giving an enema?

A) Sims' or left side-lying position
B) Fowler's or semi-Fowler's position
C) Prone or supine position
D) Supine or right side-lying position

Question 28

A bowel training program was developed for a resident. The person usually has a bowel movement after breakfast. When should you assist the person with elimination?

A) After lunch
B) Before lunch
C) After breakfast
D) Before breakfast

Question 29

Which is not a cause of fecal incontinence?

A) Nervous system diseases
B) A high-fiber diet
C) Dementia
D) Unanswered signal lights

Question 30

Which is a sign of fecal impaction?

A) The frequent passage of liquid stools
B) Marble-sized stools
C) Liquid feces seeping from the anus
D) Passage of large stools

Question 31

Which can occur if constipation is not relieved?

A) Fecal impaction
B) Enema
C) Diarrhea
D) Suppository

Question 32

A person has diarrhea. Liquid feces and frequent wiping can lead to

A) Dehydration
B) Skin breakdown
C) Oliguria
D) Death

Question 33

A resident complains of diarrhea. The person needs assistance with ambulation. When the person's signal light is on, you need to

A) Answer promptly
B) Go to the person as soon as you finish assisting another resident
C) Ask a co-worker to help you
D) Tell the nurse

Question 34

A patient complains of flatulence. The following measures are part of the person's care plan. Which should you question?

A) When the person is in bed, encourage the right side-lying position.
B) Have the person move about when in bed.
C) Encourage walking.
D) Encourage exercise.

Question 35

Enemas are given to relieve the following problems except

A) Constipation
B) Diarrhea
C) Fecal impaction
D) Flatulence

Question 36

Giving an enema is delegated to you. Because of the end-of-shift report, the nurse will not be available to supervise you. What should you do?

A) Ask a co-worker to help you.
B) Give the enema if it is in your job description.
C) Give the enema because it was part of your education and training.
D) Give the enema when the nurse is available to supervise you.

Question 37

Which position often produces flatus?

A) Fowler's
B) Semi-Fowler's
C) Right side-lying
D) Left side-lying

Question 38

You know that enemas

A) Are given before certain surgeries and diagnostic procedures
B) Are not given before surgery
C) Are not given to older persons
D) Are only given to relieve constipation and fecal impaction

Question 39

Bowel training helps prevent the following except

A) Fecal impaction
B) Constipation
C) Diarrhea
D) Fecal incontinence

Question 40

A person has fecal incontinence. The following measures are part of the care plan. Which should you question?

A) Assist with elimination after meals.
B) Assist with elimination every 2 to 3 hours.
C) Give good skin care.
D) Assist with hand washing once per shift.

Question 41

Which will not prevent ostomy pouch odors?

A) Eating cucumbers and radishes
B) Good hygiene
C) Emptying the pouch
D) Putting deodorants into the pouch

Question 42

Which statement about colostomies is incorrect?

A) The person wears a pouch to collect feces and flatus.
B) Stool consistency depends on the colostomy site.
C) The more colon remaining, the more liquid the stool.
D) Good skin care is necessary because feces irritate the skin.

Question 43

You are giving a cleansing enema. Which action is unsafe?

A) Following Standard Precautions and the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard
B) Holding the solution bag 12 inches above the anus
C) Lubricating the enema tip before inserting it
D) Giving the solution in 5 minutes

Question 44

After giving an oil-retention enema, the person is left in the

A) Fowler's or semi-Fowler's position
B) Sims' or left side-lying position
C) Prone or supine position
D) Supine or right side-lying position

Question 45

To empty an ostomy pouch

A) The belt is removed
B) The pouch is removed
C) The drain at the top is opened
D) The drain at the bottom is opened

Question 46

You just applied a new ostomy pouch. When can the person shower or bathe?

A) Right away
B) In 1 to 2 hours
C) In 8 hours
D) The next day

Question 47

You are preparing to give a cleansing enema. To remove air from the enema tube, do the following:

A) Close the clamp.
B) Lubricate the tip.
C) Let solution flow through the tube.
D) Keep the enema bag level with the anus.

Question 48

When is the best time to change an ostomy pouch?

A) Before breakfast
B) After breakfast
C) After the evening meal
D) Before bedtime

Question 49

Before disposing of the enema results, which of the following should you do?

A) Let the person observe the results
B) Ask the nurse to observe the results
C) Provide perineal care
D) Disinfect the bedpan or commode

Question 50

A cleansing enema takes effect

A) Right away
B) In 5 to 10 minutes
C) In 10 to 20 minutes
D) In 30 minutes

Question 51

The solution temperature for an enema for adults usually is

A) 98.6° F
B) 105° F
C) 110° F
D) Room temperature

Question 52

Which statement about small-volume enemas is incorrect?

A) The solution is usually given at room temperature.
B) It usually takes 5 to 10 minutes for the enema to take effect.
C) Pressure is released on the bottle during administration.
D) Staying in the Sims' position helps to retain the enema.

Question 53

Ostomy pouches are disposed of by flushing them down the toilet.

Question 54

A person has an ostomy pouch. The pouch is bulging from flatus. What should you do?

A) Call for the nurse.
B) Make a hole in the pouch for the escape of gas.
C) Open the pouch.
D) Change the pouch.

Question 55

A person has an ileostomy. Which statement is incorrect?

A) Water is absorbed before feces are expelled into the pouch.
B) The entire colon was removed.
C) Stools are liquid.
D) Liquid stools drain constantly from the ileostomy.

Question 56

How far is the enema tube usually inserted into the adult rectum?

A) 1 to 3 inches
B) 2 to 4 inches
C) 4 to 5 inches
D) 5 to 6 inches

Question 57

How much enema solution is usually given to an adult?

A) 100 to 120 mL
B) 200 to 300 mL
C) 500 to 750 mL
D) 500 to 1000 mL

Question 58

You are giving a cleansing enema. During the procedure, the person complains of cramping. What should you do?

A) Clamp the tubing.
B) Remove the tubing.
C) Insert the tubing farther.
D) Call for the nurse.

Question 59

Ostomy pouches are usually changed

A) Every day and when they leak
B) Every time feces are present
C) Every 3 to 7 days and when they leak
D) At least once a month

Question 60

Oil-retention enemas are retained for at least

A) 15 minutes
B) 30 minutes
C) 1 hour
D) 3 hours