Deck 51: Faecal Elimination

Question 1

Which of the following assessment skills would the RN perform first when examining a client for faecal elimination problems?

A) Percussion.
B) Auscultation.
C) Palpation.
D) Inspection.

Answer 1

Auscultation.

Question 2

Which of the following nursing diagnoses would be most appropriate for a client on bed rest?

A) Disturbed Body Image.
B) Diarrhoea.
C) Bowel Incontinence.
D) Constipation.

Answer 2

Constipation.

Question 3

Which part of the nursing process is the nurse using when obtaining a nursing history of a client's faecal elimination?

A) Implementation.
B) Assessment.
C) Evaluation.
D) Planning.

Answer 3

Assessment.

Question 4

Which of the following goals would be appropriate for a client dealing with a faecal elimination problem like diarrhoea?

A) Client will increase the amount of sugar in the diet.
B) Client will limit fluid intake.
C) Client will defecate regularly.
D) Client will avoid alcohol and caffeine.

Question 5

The normal colour of faeces is due to the presence of ________ and ________.

Question 6

Which of the following characteristics assessed by the nurse is considered normal for an adult's faeces?

A) Yellow in colour.
B) Pungent in odour.
C) Black in colour.
D) Tubular in shape.

Question 7

Faecal impaction can occur as a result of ________.

Question 8

The nurse is called to the client's room to assess the client's first bowel movement since surgery. Upon investigation, the nurse finds hard, dry, but formed stool. This is characteristic of which of the following?

A) Faecal impaction.
B) Bowel incontinence.
C) Constipation.
D) Diarrhoea.

Question 9

A client is asking for assistance from the community nurse, as her bowel habits seem to be irregular. Her risk factors include a lack of exercise and poor diet. Nursing interventions include all of the following except:

A) instruct the client on benefits of exercise and a high fibre diet.
B) teach the client how to keep a food diary.
C) instruct client on effects of any medications.
D) refer her to the doctor for laxatives.

Question 10

Which of the following suggestions by the nurse would be appropriate to maintain a normal faecal elimination pattern?

A) Include more whole grains in the diet.
B) Include more spicy foods and sugar in the diet.
C) Drink two to four glasses of water daily.
D) Use enemas as desired.

Question 11

A nurse observes that the stool of a client is black and tarry. The nurse would undertake all of the following except:

A) test the stool for blood.
B) check whether client has consumed liquorice.
C) check if client is on a steroid drug.
D) check if client's diet includes high amounts of red meat and leafy vegetables.

Question 12

A client asks the RN why it is more difficult to use a bedpan for defecating than sitting on the toilet. Which of the following is the best response?

A) The sitting position decreases the contractions of the muscles of the pelvic floor.
B) The sitting position increases the pressure within the abdomen.
C) The sitting position increases the downward pressure on the rectum, making it easier to pass stool.
D) The sitting position inhibits the urge to urinate, allowing one to defecate.

Question 13

Which of the following assessment data would indicate compromised gastrointestinal function?

A) Clay colour stool.
B) Semi-solid and moist stool.
C) Increased appetite.
D) Bowel sounds active in all four quadrants.

Question 14

Which of the following is included in client teaching prior to administration of a cleansing enema?

A) Lie in the left lateral position.
B) Lie in the right lateral position.
C) Take fast breaths through the nose.
D) Hold the solution for a short time.

Question 15

Which of the following clients is at greatest risk for developing constipation?

A) An adult who is on bed rest.
B) A school-age child at recess.
C) A toddler who is now walking.
D) An infant who is breast-fed.

Question 16

The nurse would instruct a client with frequent bouts of diarrhoea to:

A) change her daily routine.
B) increase fibre in the diet.
C) use soft unperfumed toilet tissue.
D) decrease fluid consumption.

Question 17

Which of the following actions by the client would signal to the nurse that client teaching was effective for preventing constipation?

A) The client continues to ask for his pain medication.
B) The client refuses to eat the bran flakes on his tray.
C) The client decreases his fluid consumption.
D) The client walks around the unit several times a day.

Question 18

A disease of the colon that can cause inflammation, ulcer formation and diarrhoea is ________.

Question 19

The Assistant in Nursing (AIN) informs the Registered Nurse (RN) that one of the clients is passing lots of gas which is very noxious. The AIN asks why the smell is so bad. What should be the RN's response?

A) The client has swallowed too much air while eating.
B) The client's emotions are causing the gas formation.
C) The actions of microorganisms within the GI tract are responsible for the odour.
D) The sensory nerves in the rectum are being stimulated.

Question 20

The nurse is taking care of a client who states that he ignores the urge to defecate when he is at work. Which of the following responses by the nurse would explain why this practice should be changed?

A) "It is best to suppress the urge than suffer embarrassment at work."
B) "You will get the urge later; don't worry."
C) "If you continue to ignore the urge to defecate, the urge is ultimately lost."
D) "This is a common practice, and it will strengthen the reflex later."

Question 21

Identify the faecal diversion pictured below:

Question 22

Which of the following actions would be expected if a hypertonic solution like saline is used to give an enema?

A) Exerts a lower osmotic pressure than the surrounding interstitial fluid.
B) Stimulates peristalsis by increasing the volume in the colon and irritating the colon.
C) Exerts osmotic pressure and draws fluid from the interstitial space into the colon.
D) Exerts the same osmotic pressure as the interstitial fluid surrounding the colon.

Question 23

The RN is caring for the stomal area of a client who has a colostomy. Which of the following actions is most appropriate?

A) Apply pressure over the stoma.
B) Scrub the stoma.
C) Dilate the stoma.
D) Clean the stomal area and pat dry.