Author Question: The nurse caring for several patients on the surgical unit of the hospital. The nurse knows that ... (Read 73 times)

hbsimmons88 · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

The nurse caring for several patients on the surgical unit of the hospital. The nurse knows that constipation can be a significant health hazard and encourages the postoperative patients to drink fluids.

Which one of the following patients is most at risk from complications related to constipation? a. A 35-year-old man with back surgery
b. A 47-year-old woman with an abdominal hysterectomy
c. A 29-year-old women with carpal tunnel surgery
d. A 77-year-old man with hip surgery

Question 2

The patient has been diagnosed with a progressive neuromuscular disease and is having difficulty walking and has decreased awareness of the body's position. What is the term that best describes this phenomenon?

a. Balance
b. Proprioception
c. Posture
d. Hemiplegia

chloejackso · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

B
Constipation is a significant health hazard. Straining during defecation causes problems for patients with recent abdominal, gynecological, or rectal surgery. An effort to pass a stool can cause sutures to separate, reopening a wound. In addition, patients with cardiovascular disease, diseases causing elevated intraocular pressure (glaucoma), and increased intracranial pressure need to prevent constipation and avoid using the Valsalva maneuver. Constipation is most often caused by changes in diet, medications, mobility, inflammation, environmental factors (e.g., unavailability of toilet facilities or lack of privacy), and lack of knowledge about regular bowel habits.

Answer to Question 2

B
Proprioception is the awareness of the position of the body and its parts and is dependent on impulses from the inner ear and from receptors in joints and ligaments. The nervous system also regulates posture. Posture is incorrect because it requires coordination of proprioception and balance. Balance is incorrect because it is controlled by the inner ear and the cerebellum. Hemiplegia is incorrect because this term is used to describe paralysis on one side of the body.