C HAPTER 47: B OWEL E LIMINATION
Fundamentals of Nursing 10th Edition; Potter Perry
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. An adult client reports to the nurse that she has been experiencing
constipation recentl y and is interested in any suggestions rega rding
dietary changes she might make. Which of the following suggestions
provided by the nurse is most likel y to minimize the clients complaint?
A. Have you tried foods like prunes and bran?
B. You might find the new flavored bulk laxatives helpful.
C. What have yo u tried in the past that hasn ’t been helpful?
D. Increase your fluid intake; have some juice with breakfast.
ANS: D
Unless there is a medical contraindication, an adult needs to drink six
to eight glasses (1500 to 2000 m L) of noncaffeinated fluid dail y. An
increase in fluid intake with the use of fruit juices softens stool and
increases peristalsis. Poor fluid intake increases the risk for
constipation because of reabsorption of fluid in the colon, resulting in
hard, dry stools. Although some of the options are food related, they
are not as direct; a laxative is not a dietary change.
DIF: C REF: 1178 OBJ: Anal ysis TOP: Nursing Process:
Physiological Integrity/Basic Care and Comfort/Elimination
MSC: NC LEX test plan designation: Physiological
Integrit y/Basic Care and Comfort/ Elimination
,2. A client who is 2 days postoperative reports feeling constipated to the
nurse. The client has good bowel sounds in all four quadrants and has
tolerated liquids well. Her pain is being controlled with an opioid
analgesic. Whi ch of the following interventions should the nurse try
initiall y?
A. Let me get you some apple juice.
B. Ambulating may get your bowels moving.
C. I’ll see about getting a different pain medication.
D. Your health care provider might prescribe an enema if I call.
ANS: A
An increase in fluid intake with the use of fruit juices softens stool and
increases peristalsis. The remaining interventions are not
inappropriate, but they are not the initial intervention for such a
complaint.
DIF: B REF: 1178 OBJ: Application TOP: Nursing Process:
Implementation MSC: NC LEX test plan designation:
Physiological Integrity/Basic Care and Comfort/ Elimination
3. Which of the following statements by a client reporting constipation
reflects the most informed understanding of intervention s that will aid in
assuming proper bowel mobilit y?
A. Could it be that I need to get more exercise, even here in the
hospital?
B. Is it true that drinking coffee often helps stimulate the bowels to
work?
, C. I guess a little high -fiber cereal might help. Can you get me some
from the cafeteria?
D. May I have a cup of decaffeinated tea in addition to m y breakfast
juice? That usuall y helps.
ANS: D
Unless there is a medical contraindication, an adult needs to drink six
to eight glasses (1500 to 2000 m L) of noncaffeinated fluid dail y. An
increase in fluid intake with the use of fruit juices softens stool and
increases peristalsis. Poor fluid intake increases the risk for
constipation because of reabsorption of fluid in the colon, resulting in
hard, dry stools. Although the other options are not incorrect, the client
does not seem to have past experience with these suggestions.
DIF: C REF: 1177 -1178 OBJ: Anal ysis TOP: Nursing
Process: Planning MSC: NC LEX test plan designation:
Physiological Integrity/Basic Care and Comfort / Elimination
4. A client is caring for her husband who recentl y experienced a cerebral
vascular accident. She tells the home care nurse that she has been very
anxious latel y about all the added responsibilities. She adds that she has
not been sleeping well and has had several bouts of diarrhea. Which of the
following statements by the nurse focuses on the most likel y cause of the
gastrointestinal problem?
A. Have you experienced increased gas and cramping in addition to the
diarrhea?
B. You are under a lot of stre ss; that can affect your bowels and result
in diarrhea.
C. I suggest you get some over -the-counter medication and keep it on
hand to manage those bouts.
, D. Have you been eating a well -balanced diet since you brought your
husband home?
ANS: B
During emotional s tress the digestive process is accelerated, and
peristalsis is increased. Side effects of increased peristalsis are
diarrhea and gaseous distention. The remaining options are focused on
the most likel y cause of the problem, or they are focused on treatment ,
not cause.
DIF: C REF: 1178 OBJ: Anal ysis TOP: Nursing Process:
Anal ysis MSC: NC LEX test plan designation: Physiological
Integrit y/Basic Care and Comfort/ Elimination
5. A client is caring for her daughter, who recentl y suffered multiple
fractures in an automobile accident. The client tells the home care nurse
that she has been reall y down since all this happened. She adds that she
has been constipated and not reall y interested in eating. Which of the
following statements by the nurse focuses on the most likel y cause of the
gastrointestinal problem?
A. Actuall y, how long have you been constipated?
B. Are you eating fiber-rich foods like fruit and whole grains?
C. You may be depressed; emotional depression can cause
constipation.
D. I suggest you get some over -the-counter mild laxative and see if
that helps.
ANS: C
Fundamentals of Nursing 10th Edition; Potter Perry
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. An adult client reports to the nurse that she has been experiencing
constipation recentl y and is interested in any suggestions rega rding
dietary changes she might make. Which of the following suggestions
provided by the nurse is most likel y to minimize the clients complaint?
A. Have you tried foods like prunes and bran?
B. You might find the new flavored bulk laxatives helpful.
C. What have yo u tried in the past that hasn ’t been helpful?
D. Increase your fluid intake; have some juice with breakfast.
ANS: D
Unless there is a medical contraindication, an adult needs to drink six
to eight glasses (1500 to 2000 m L) of noncaffeinated fluid dail y. An
increase in fluid intake with the use of fruit juices softens stool and
increases peristalsis. Poor fluid intake increases the risk for
constipation because of reabsorption of fluid in the colon, resulting in
hard, dry stools. Although some of the options are food related, they
are not as direct; a laxative is not a dietary change.
DIF: C REF: 1178 OBJ: Anal ysis TOP: Nursing Process:
Physiological Integrity/Basic Care and Comfort/Elimination
MSC: NC LEX test plan designation: Physiological
Integrit y/Basic Care and Comfort/ Elimination
,2. A client who is 2 days postoperative reports feeling constipated to the
nurse. The client has good bowel sounds in all four quadrants and has
tolerated liquids well. Her pain is being controlled with an opioid
analgesic. Whi ch of the following interventions should the nurse try
initiall y?
A. Let me get you some apple juice.
B. Ambulating may get your bowels moving.
C. I’ll see about getting a different pain medication.
D. Your health care provider might prescribe an enema if I call.
ANS: A
An increase in fluid intake with the use of fruit juices softens stool and
increases peristalsis. The remaining interventions are not
inappropriate, but they are not the initial intervention for such a
complaint.
DIF: B REF: 1178 OBJ: Application TOP: Nursing Process:
Implementation MSC: NC LEX test plan designation:
Physiological Integrity/Basic Care and Comfort/ Elimination
3. Which of the following statements by a client reporting constipation
reflects the most informed understanding of intervention s that will aid in
assuming proper bowel mobilit y?
A. Could it be that I need to get more exercise, even here in the
hospital?
B. Is it true that drinking coffee often helps stimulate the bowels to
work?
, C. I guess a little high -fiber cereal might help. Can you get me some
from the cafeteria?
D. May I have a cup of decaffeinated tea in addition to m y breakfast
juice? That usuall y helps.
ANS: D
Unless there is a medical contraindication, an adult needs to drink six
to eight glasses (1500 to 2000 m L) of noncaffeinated fluid dail y. An
increase in fluid intake with the use of fruit juices softens stool and
increases peristalsis. Poor fluid intake increases the risk for
constipation because of reabsorption of fluid in the colon, resulting in
hard, dry stools. Although the other options are not incorrect, the client
does not seem to have past experience with these suggestions.
DIF: C REF: 1177 -1178 OBJ: Anal ysis TOP: Nursing
Process: Planning MSC: NC LEX test plan designation:
Physiological Integrity/Basic Care and Comfort / Elimination
4. A client is caring for her husband who recentl y experienced a cerebral
vascular accident. She tells the home care nurse that she has been very
anxious latel y about all the added responsibilities. She adds that she has
not been sleeping well and has had several bouts of diarrhea. Which of the
following statements by the nurse focuses on the most likel y cause of the
gastrointestinal problem?
A. Have you experienced increased gas and cramping in addition to the
diarrhea?
B. You are under a lot of stre ss; that can affect your bowels and result
in diarrhea.
C. I suggest you get some over -the-counter medication and keep it on
hand to manage those bouts.
, D. Have you been eating a well -balanced diet since you brought your
husband home?
ANS: B
During emotional s tress the digestive process is accelerated, and
peristalsis is increased. Side effects of increased peristalsis are
diarrhea and gaseous distention. The remaining options are focused on
the most likel y cause of the problem, or they are focused on treatment ,
not cause.
DIF: C REF: 1178 OBJ: Anal ysis TOP: Nursing Process:
Anal ysis MSC: NC LEX test plan designation: Physiological
Integrit y/Basic Care and Comfort/ Elimination
5. A client is caring for her daughter, who recentl y suffered multiple
fractures in an automobile accident. The client tells the home care nurse
that she has been reall y down since all this happened. She adds that she
has been constipated and not reall y interested in eating. Which of the
following statements by the nurse focuses on the most likel y cause of the
gastrointestinal problem?
A. Actuall y, how long have you been constipated?
B. Are you eating fiber-rich foods like fruit and whole grains?
C. You may be depressed; emotional depression can cause
constipation.
D. I suggest you get some over -the-counter mild laxative and see if
that helps.
ANS: C
