Exam 29: Bowel Elimination

A patient with a skin infection is prescribed cephalexin (an antibiotic)500 mg orally q 12 hours.The patient complains that the last time he took this medication,he had frequent episodes of loose stools.Which recommendation should the nurse make to the patient?

The enterostomal nurse is conducting a teaching session for patients with new colostomies.Today's topic is self-assessment and signs and symptoms that must be immediately reported to the surgeon.Which sign/symptom should the nurse include in this teaching?

The nurse is instructing a patient about performing home testing for fecal occult blood.The nurse should explain that ingestion of which substance may cause a false-negative fecal occult blood test?

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.

A patient is diagnosed with an intestinal infection after traveling abroad.The nurse should encourage the intake of which food to promote healing?

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 of the following tests?

A patient has a colostomy in the descending (sigmoid)colon and wants to control bowel evacuation and possibly stop wearing an ostomy pouch.To help achieve this goal,the nurse should teach the patient to:

Which action should the nurse take to assess a 2-year-old child for pinworms?

Considering normal developmental and physical maturation in children,for which age would a goal of "Achieves bowel control by the end of this month" be most realistic?

A nurse is teaching wellness to a women's group.The nurse should explain the importance of consuming at least how much fluid to promote healthy bowel function (assume these are 8-ounce glasses)?

A patient with severe hemorrhoids is incontinent of liquid stool.Which of the following interventions is contraindicated?

The nurse is seeing a patient at home with a new colostomy.In formulating the plan of care,what is the priority long-term goal for this patient? The patient will:

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

A patient who has been immobile since sustaining injuries in a motor vehicle accident complains of constipation.The nurse encourages him to consume 8 to 10 eight-ounce glasses of fluid daily.Which fluids should the patient avoid because of the diuretic effect? Select all that apply.

The nurse is obtaining a bowel elimination history from her 80-year-old patient.The patient states,"Sometimes when I go to the bathroom I push real hard,hold my breath,and plug my nose." Which action should the nurse take first?