Author Question: A hospitalized client tells the nurse of the inability to have a bowel movement because too many ... (Read 53 times)

s.tung · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A hospitalized client tells the nurse of the inability to have a bowel movement because too many people are around. What should the nurse do to promote normal fecal elimination for this client?

1. Provide a laxative.
2. Assist the client to the bathroom to ensure privacy.
3. Restrict fluids.
4. Assist the client with ambulation.

Question 2

A client with an upper gastrointestinal disorder is experiencing seeping of liquid stool, anorexia, abdominal distention, nausea, and vomiting. The nurse suspects the client is experiencing

1. constipation.
2. diarrhea.
3. trapped flatus.
4. fecal impaction.

komodo7 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Providing a laxative does not address the issue that there are too many people around for the client to feel comfortable with bowel evacuation.
Rationale 2: Privacy during defecation is extremely important to many people. The nurse should therefore provide as much privacy as possible for such clients, but might need to stay with those who are too weak to be left alone.
Rationale 3: Restricting fluids would encourage constipation.
Rationale 4: Assisting the client with ambulation does not address the issue of too many people being around for the client to feel comfortable with defecation.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: Liquid stool is not an indication of constipation.
Rationale 2: The liquid stool associated with abdominal distention, anorexia, nausea, and vomiting is not an indication of diarrhea.
Rationale 3: Trapped flatus does not cause the seeping of liquid stool.
Rationale 4: A client who has a fecal impaction will experience the passage of liquid fecal seepage and no normal stool. The liquid portion of the feces seeps out around the impacted mass. Symptoms include anorexia, abdominal distention, nausea, and vomiting.