A patient with a hip fracture is having difficulty defecating ...

[madam-professor]

A patient with a hip fracture is having difficulty defecating into a bedpan while lying in bed. Which action by the nurse will assist the patient in having a successful bowel movement?
 
  a. Preparing to administer a barium enema
  b. Withholding narcotic pain medication
  c. Administering laxatives to the patient
  d. Raising the head of the bed

Question 2

A nurse is teaching a patient about the large intestine in elimination. In which order will the nurse list the structures, starting with the first portion?
 
  a. Cecum, ascending, transverse, descending, sigmoid, and rectum
  b. Ascending, transverse, descending, sigmoid, rectum, and cecum
  c. Cecum, sigmoid, ascending, transverse, descending, and rectum
  d. Ascending, transverse, descending, rectum, sigmoid, and cecum

[moormoney]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Lying in bed is an unnatural position; raising the head of the bed assists the patient into a more normal position that allows proper contraction of muscles for elimination. Laxatives would not give the patient control over bowel movements. A barium enema is a diagnostic test, not an intervention to promote defecation. Pain relief measures should be given; however, preventative action should be taken to prevent constipation.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
The large intestine is divided into the cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum. The large intestine is the primary organ of bowel elimination.

[madam-professor]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[nyrave]

Great answer, keep it coming