NR 224 Exam 2 Question with correct
Answers 2025/2026 A+ Graded.
Ascending colon - ANS-Very liquid stool, no pattern
Transverse colon - ANS-Stool becoming more formed, but still liquid
Descending colon - ANS-Stool losing water to reabsorption, becoming thick and formed
Sigmoid colon - ANS-Formed stool
Rectum - ANS-Most formed, storage until evacuation occurs (if not evacuated, site of fecal
impaction)
Normal abdomen assessment - ANS-Soft
Non-distended
Non-tender
Symmetrical
Active bowel sounds x4 quadrants
Abnormal abdomen assessment - ANS-Firm
Distended
Tender
Asymmetrical
Absent bowel sounds (paralytic ileus)
Peristalsis - ANS-Under control of the nervous system
Contractions occur every 3-12 minutes
Mass peristalsis sweeps occur ___ to ____ times each 24 hour period - ANS-1-4
____ to ____ of food waste is excreted in stool within 24 hours - ANS-1/3 to 1/2 (normal transit
time)
Rapid transit times - ANS-Loose stools, diarrhea, less absorption of nutrients, less water
reabsorbed
Delayed transit times - ANS-Constipation, too much water reabsorbed, dry stools
Type I stool - ANS-Separate hard lumps, like nuts (hard to pass)
Type 2 stool - ANS-Sausage-shaped but lumpy
,Type 3 stool - ANS-Like a sausage, but with cracks on its surface
Type 4 stool - ANS-Like a sausage or snake, smooth and soft
Type 5 stool - ANS-Soft blobs with clear-cut edges (passed easily)
Type 6 stool - ANS-Fluffy pieces with ragged edges, a mushy stool
Type 7 stool - ANS-Watery, no solid pieces. Entirely liquid
Variables influencing bowel elimination - ANS-Age/developmental considerations
Personal habits/daily patterns
Food/fluid intake
Physical activity and muscle tone
Lifestyle, psychological variables
Pathologic conditions (disease, pain, pg)
Medications
Diagnostic tests
Surgery and anethesia
Constipation foods - ANS-Cheese
Lean meat
Eggs
Pasta
Foods with laxative effect - ANS-Fruits and vegetables
Bran
Chocolate
Alcohol
Coffee
Gas-producing foods - ANS-Onions
Cabbage
Beans
Cauliflower
Constipation - ANS-No BM in 3 days
Act on/before day 2
-Hard, dry stool - difficult to eliminate
-Low or inactive bowel sounds
-Excessive straining, bloating, and the sensation of full bowel
-Assess for paralytic ileus if pt had surgery, anesthetic
, Impaction - ANS-Collection of hardened feces
Occurs in rectum
Results from unrelieved constipation
Often liquid stool is symptom
Ask when last normal formed BM was
Diarrhea - ANS-Increase in the number of stools and the passage of liquid, unformed feces
Often intestinal cramping
Usually protective response
Large amounts of fluids and electrolytes lost
Often a symptom of illness/infection
Fecal incontinence - ANS-Inability to control passage of feces and gas from the anus
Can be neurological in nature
Flatulence - ANS-Excess trapped gas
Cal result from slowed motility
Can be painful, embarrassing
Hemorrhoids - ANS-Dilated, engorged veins in the lining of the rectum
Can be internal or external
Painful
Needing treatment as to not interfere with normal bowel habits
Constipation is common in - ANS-Women
Adults over 65
Pregnancy
Greatest risk for skin excoriation and breakdown due to diarrhea - ANS-Infants
Young children
Elderly
Causes of constipation - ANS-Not enough fiber
Lack of physical activity
Medications (opioids, pain meds)
Milk, cheese (except lactose intolerance, allergy)
IBS
Changes in life routine (pg, aging, travel)
Abuse of laxatives
Ignoring urge to have BM
Dehydration
Specific diseases or conditions (stroke is common)
Problems with colon and rectum
Answers 2025/2026 A+ Graded.
Ascending colon - ANS-Very liquid stool, no pattern
Transverse colon - ANS-Stool becoming more formed, but still liquid
Descending colon - ANS-Stool losing water to reabsorption, becoming thick and formed
Sigmoid colon - ANS-Formed stool
Rectum - ANS-Most formed, storage until evacuation occurs (if not evacuated, site of fecal
impaction)
Normal abdomen assessment - ANS-Soft
Non-distended
Non-tender
Symmetrical
Active bowel sounds x4 quadrants
Abnormal abdomen assessment - ANS-Firm
Distended
Tender
Asymmetrical
Absent bowel sounds (paralytic ileus)
Peristalsis - ANS-Under control of the nervous system
Contractions occur every 3-12 minutes
Mass peristalsis sweeps occur ___ to ____ times each 24 hour period - ANS-1-4
____ to ____ of food waste is excreted in stool within 24 hours - ANS-1/3 to 1/2 (normal transit
time)
Rapid transit times - ANS-Loose stools, diarrhea, less absorption of nutrients, less water
reabsorbed
Delayed transit times - ANS-Constipation, too much water reabsorbed, dry stools
Type I stool - ANS-Separate hard lumps, like nuts (hard to pass)
Type 2 stool - ANS-Sausage-shaped but lumpy
,Type 3 stool - ANS-Like a sausage, but with cracks on its surface
Type 4 stool - ANS-Like a sausage or snake, smooth and soft
Type 5 stool - ANS-Soft blobs with clear-cut edges (passed easily)
Type 6 stool - ANS-Fluffy pieces with ragged edges, a mushy stool
Type 7 stool - ANS-Watery, no solid pieces. Entirely liquid
Variables influencing bowel elimination - ANS-Age/developmental considerations
Personal habits/daily patterns
Food/fluid intake
Physical activity and muscle tone
Lifestyle, psychological variables
Pathologic conditions (disease, pain, pg)
Medications
Diagnostic tests
Surgery and anethesia
Constipation foods - ANS-Cheese
Lean meat
Eggs
Pasta
Foods with laxative effect - ANS-Fruits and vegetables
Bran
Chocolate
Alcohol
Coffee
Gas-producing foods - ANS-Onions
Cabbage
Beans
Cauliflower
Constipation - ANS-No BM in 3 days
Act on/before day 2
-Hard, dry stool - difficult to eliminate
-Low or inactive bowel sounds
-Excessive straining, bloating, and the sensation of full bowel
-Assess for paralytic ileus if pt had surgery, anesthetic
, Impaction - ANS-Collection of hardened feces
Occurs in rectum
Results from unrelieved constipation
Often liquid stool is symptom
Ask when last normal formed BM was
Diarrhea - ANS-Increase in the number of stools and the passage of liquid, unformed feces
Often intestinal cramping
Usually protective response
Large amounts of fluids and electrolytes lost
Often a symptom of illness/infection
Fecal incontinence - ANS-Inability to control passage of feces and gas from the anus
Can be neurological in nature
Flatulence - ANS-Excess trapped gas
Cal result from slowed motility
Can be painful, embarrassing
Hemorrhoids - ANS-Dilated, engorged veins in the lining of the rectum
Can be internal or external
Painful
Needing treatment as to not interfere with normal bowel habits
Constipation is common in - ANS-Women
Adults over 65
Pregnancy
Greatest risk for skin excoriation and breakdown due to diarrhea - ANS-Infants
Young children
Elderly
Causes of constipation - ANS-Not enough fiber
Lack of physical activity
Medications (opioids, pain meds)
Milk, cheese (except lactose intolerance, allergy)
IBS
Changes in life routine (pg, aging, travel)
Abuse of laxatives
Ignoring urge to have BM
Dehydration
Specific diseases or conditions (stroke is common)
Problems with colon and rectum
