Question 1

A patient who has been immobile since sustaining injuries in a motor vehicle accident reports passing hard stools. The nurse encourages the patient to increase daily fluid intake. Which fluids should the patient avoid because of the diuretic effect? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Coffee and tea contain caffeine, which has a diuretic effect, leading to increased urine production and potentially exacerbating dehydration, which can worsen constipation.

Question 2

The community health nurse is preparing a teaching plan on food choices that promote normal bowel elimination. Which foods should the nurse teach participants to be sure to include in their diet? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Foods that promote normal bowel elimination are high in fiber. Fresh fruits, whole-grain cereals, and peas are rich in dietary fiber, which helps to increase stool bulk and promote regular bowel movements. Lean meats and pastas, while part of a balanced diet, do not have the same effect on bowel elimination as high-fiber foods.

Question 3

Which factors place the patient at risk for constipation? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which factors place the patient at risk...

Question 4

The nursing instructor is teaching students how to use a fracture pan for patients. What are the most appropriate instructions for this procedure? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A fracture pan is specifically designed for patients with limited mobility, such as those with a total hip replacement. The wide, rounded end should be placed toward the front of the patient for proper use. Assisting the patient to a side-lying position can help in positioning the pan correctly.

Question 5

The mother of a 3-month-old infant comes to emergency department and states, "My baby has been having severe diarrhea for 4 days. She is crying all the time." In formulating the plan of care for diarrhea, the nurse focuses outcomes on which of the following? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Fluid management, electrolyte balance, and skin integrity are critical outcomes to focus on in the care of an infant with severe diarrhea. Diarrhea can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and skin irritation or breakdown from frequent stools.

Question 6

In advising an older adult who takes laxatives regularly, the nurse would identify which of the following factors? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A) Regular use of laxatives can lead to a cycle where constipation is more likely to occur, rather than preventing it. B) Long-term laxative use can cause the intestines to become less responsive, requiring higher doses for the same effect. C) Chronic use of laxatives can result in the body becoming reliant on them to produce bowel movements.

Question 7

The nurse is caring for a patient on the medical-surgical unit. The patient states, "I really don't like to talk about my bowel movements, but what is considered normal for bowel movements?" What is the best response by the nurse? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

B) Normal bowel movement frequency can vary widely among individuals, from several times a day to once a week, depending on their normal pattern. C) The ease of bowel movements, reliance on laxatives, and urgency are also important factors in determining what is normal for an individual.

Question 8

A day after abdominal surgery, a postoperative patient on a surgical unit says to the nurse, "I'm having a problem with a lot of gas. Maybe it's the food I'm eating." What is the appropriate response by the nurse? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A day after abdominal surgery, a postoperative...

Question 9

The nurse is performing a focused bowel assessment on an older adult. Which physiological changes of aging should alert the nurse to an increased risk for problems associated with bowel elimination? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is performing a focused bowel...

Question 10

Which populations are considered high risk for the development of hemorrhoids? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which populations are considered high risk for...

Question 11

Which tasks may be delegated to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Tasks that can be delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) typically include non-invasive and routine activities that do not require clinical judgment. Collecting and testing a stool sample for occult blood (B), assisting with placing a fracture pan on an immobile patient (D), and changing a preexisting, stable ostomy appliance (E) are tasks that fit these criteria. Irrigating a newly created colostomy (A) and digitally removing stool as a result of a fecal impaction (C) require clinical judgment and skill, and therefore, should not be delegated to UAP.

Question 12

A client has a history of chronic constipation. Which medications prescribed for the client would alert the nurse to be especially vigilant in observing for constipation and teach the client about preventive measures? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Iron supplements and certain pain medications, especially opioids, can cause or exacerbate constipation. Iron can lead to gastrointestinal side effects including constipation. Opioid pain medications slow down the gastrointestinal tract, leading to constipation.

Question 13

The nurse is preparing a patient for an invasive diagnostic test that will provide direct visualization of the rectum, entire large intestine, and distal small bowel. The nurse should teach and give the patient written instructions about which test?

Accepted Answer

A colonoscopy allows for the direct visualization of the rectum, entire large intestine, and distal small bowel, making it the correct test described.

Question 14

The nurse must administer an enema to an adult patient with constipation. Which of the following would be a safe and effective distance for the nurse to insert the tubing into the patient's rectum? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

For an adult patient, the safe and effective distance to insert enema tubing is typically 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm) into the rectum.

Question 15

The pediatric nurse educator is teaching a group of parents about distinguishing between food allergies and food intolerance. The nurse should teach parents that which food items are considered to be true food allergens? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Egg whites, shellfish, and peanuts are common food allergens that can trigger immune system responses ranging from mild to severe, including anaphylaxis. Corn and asparagus are less likely to cause true allergic reactions and are more associated with food intolerances or sensitivities, which do not involve the immune system.

Quiz 29: Bowel Elimination