Deck 37: Bowel Elimination

Question 1

The nurse is caring for a patient with an ileostomy.Which assessment finding is expected when emptying the patient's ostomy appliance?

A) Infrequent hard pellets of stool
B) Daily soft formed stool
C) Frequent unformed stool
D) Constant watery liquid stool

Answer 1

Constant watery liquid stool

Question 2

Which actions of the nurse demonstrate correct administration of a soapsuds enema?

A) The enema is administered while the patient is in the right Sims' position.
B) Liquid antibacterial soap is added to the enema bag before administration.
C) The tip of the enema tube is lubricated with petroleum jelly before insertion.
D) The enema bag is lowered when the patient reports abdominal cramping.
E) The nurse removes the patient's fecal impaction before administering the enema.

Answer 2

The enema bag is lowered when the patient reports abdominal cramping.
The nurse removes the patient's fecal impaction before administering the enema.

Question 3

Which assessment finding by the nurse indicates that the patient's colonoscopy preparation is complete?

A) The patient has stopped vomiting.
B) The patient's stool is watery clear yellow.
C) The patient had a large soft formed stool.
D) The patient's abdomen is softly distended.

Answer 3

The patient's stool is watery clear yellow.

Question 4

The nurse is caring for a patient who had surgery to remove most of the large intestine.Which finding will the nurse expect to note when assessing the patient?

A) Soft formed stools
B) Chronic loose stools
C) Frequent stool impaction
D) Intermittent constipation

Question 5

The nurse is caring for a patient with a new,unexpected sigmoid colostomy.The nursing diagnosis knowledge deficit related to colostomy care is included in the patient's care plan.Which is the appropriate outcome for the patient?

A) The patient will empty and change the colostomy appliance.
B) The patient will resume a sexual relationship with the spouse.
C) The patient will verbalize feelings about presence of colostomy.
D) The patient will use clothing to effectively conceal the colostomy.

Question 6

Which assessment finding leads the nurse to conclude that digital disimpaction of stool is unsafe for the patient?

A) The patient has a large mass of hard,dry stool in the rectum.
B) The patient has not had a bowel movement for the last 6 days.
C) The patient's pulse is 50 beats/minute due to a history of heart block.
D) The patient has taken senna every morning for the last 3 days.

Question 7

Which is the appropriate nursing action after administering a bisacodyl suppository?

A) Make sure that the bedside commode is next to the patient's bed.
B) Inform the patient to expect a bowel movement in the morning.
C) Check the patient's colon for the presence of a fecal impaction.
D) Educate the patient about methods to relieve excess gas formation.

Question 8

The nurse is caring for a patient with diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile infection.Which are the priority interventions of the nurse?

A) Perform hand hygiene with soap and water.
B) Increase the patient's dietary intake of fiber.
C) Maintain strict contact isolation precautions.
D) Accurate calculation of patient's intake and output.
E) Liberally apply skin barrier cream to the perineal area.

Question 9

Which possible reasons does the nurse identify that contribute to the patient's black stools?

A) Takes ferrous sulfate 325 mg PO BID.
B) Hemorrhoids are irritated and bleeding.
C) Bleeding from a perforated gastric ulcer.
D) Incomplete small bowel obstruction.
E) Development of a Clostridium difficile infection.

Question 10

The nurse is caring for a patient with painful hemorrhoids.Which is the appropriate recommendation of the nurse to prevent their recurrence?

A) Stool softener daily at bedtime
B) Low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet
C) Periodic bowel cleansing programs
D) High-fiber diet with plenty of liquids

Question 11

The nurse is caring for a patient who has just undergone knee-replacement surgery.The patient has incontinent of continuous oozing stool for the last few days.Which is the appropriate action of the nurse?

A) Administer loperamide 8 mg PO BID.
B) Check the patient's rectum for presence of impacted stool.
C) Liberally apply skin barrier cream to prevent perineal irritation.
D) Encourage the patient to drink at least 2 L of fluid each day.

Question 12

Which medication does the nurse identify as most likely to cause a patient's constipation?

A) Ferrous sulfate 325 mg PO BID
B) Cefaclor 500 mg PO TID
C) Warfarin 5 mg PO daily
D) Prednisone 10 mg PO daily

Question 13

The nurse is caring for a patient who relies on laxatives to ensure daily bowel movements.Which is the appropriate nursing diagnosis for this patient?

A) Risk for constipation related to irregular bowel elimination patterns
B) Perceived constipation related to expectation of daily bowel movements
C) Toileting self-care deficit related to inability to set regular defecation regimen
D) Powerlessness related to inability to have daily bowel movements without laxatives

Question 14

The nurse is caring for a patient with a colostomy.The nursing diagnosis risk for impaired skin integrity related to leakage of effluent from appliance is included in the patient's care plan.Which is the appropriate intervention of the nurse?

A) Apply antifungal cream to the skin before attaching the ostomy appliance.
B) Liberally apply a rich skin barrier cream to the skin surrounding the stoma.
C) Measure the width and the length of the stoma each week for the first 6 weeks.
D) Empty the effluent into the toilet before the ostomy appliance becomes half full.

Question 15

Which patient would benefit from a sitz bath?

A) A patient who has not had a bowel movement for the last 4 days
B) A patient with painful,swollen hemorrhoids after vaginal childbirth
C) A patient with perineal skin breakdown due to continuous oozing of stool
D) A patient who is having difficulty adhering the ostomy appliance to the skin

Question 16

Which is the appropriate nursing action after the patient's fecal occult blood test is positive?

A) Educate the patient about colonoscopy preparation.
B) Obtain an order for a STAT complete blood count (CBC).
C) Check the patient's rectum for the presence of impacted stool.
D) Draw blood for type and cross-match testing by the blood bank.

Question 17

The rehabilitation nurse is working with a patient to regain bowel continence after a stroke.Which intervention will the nurse include as part of the patient's bowel training program?

A) The nurse will administer docusate sodium 100 mg PO BID.
B) The nurse will assist the patient to the toilet every morning after breakfast.
C) The nurse will check for the presence of a fecal impaction every other day.
D) The nurse will apply skin barrier cream to the perineal area after each loose stool.

Question 18

Which patient does the nurse identify that would benefit from administration of an oil-retention enema?

A) A constipated patient with a fecal impaction
B) A patient with Clostridium difficile diarrhea
C) A patient with a positive fecal occult blood test
D) A patient with a serum potassium level of 7.1 mEq/L

Question 19

Which patient does the nurse identify that would benefit from a nasogastric tube to low intermittent suction?

A) A patient who is vomiting due to a complete large bowel obstruction
B) A patient with constipation who has not had a bowel movement in 6 days
C) A patient with constant diarrhea due to side effects of antibiotic therapy
D) A patient with extensive skin irritation due to a leaking colostomy appliance