Bowel Elimination Practice Questions
and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026
| Correct & Verified
A nurse is teaching a client about promoting regular bowel movements. Which statement
indicates understanding?
✔✔"I will drink at least eight glasses of water a day."
"I will avoid eating vegetables and fruits."
"I will lie down immediately after meals."
"I should take laxatives daily, even if I feel fine."
Which food should the nurse recommend to a client experiencing constipation?
Rice
Cheese
✔✔Prunes
Meat
What position should the client assume for receiving a cleansing enema?
Supine
1
,✔✔Left side-lying with right knee flexed
Sitting in a chair
Standing upright
Which action helps reduce gas and bloating?
Avoiding physical activity
✔✔Walking regularly
Consuming carbonated beverages
Eating large meals before bed
Which is a common cause of constipation in older adults?
✔✔Decreased gastrointestinal motility
High fluid intake
High levels of activity
Short colon length
What is the primary reason to avoid chronic use of stimulant laxatives?
They are expensive
2
,They taste unpleasant
✔✔They can lead to dependence
They prevent nutrient absorption
Which finding indicates a possible fecal impaction?
✔✔Small amounts of liquid stool
Bright red stool
Foul-smelling gas
Sharp abdominal pain relieved by defecation
What is the purpose of digital rectal examination before administering a suppository?
To test for blood
✔✔To assess for presence of stool
To reduce peristalsis
To relieve abdominal pain
Which statement by the client with a new colostomy requires further teaching?
"I will empty my pouch when it is one-third full."
3
, "I will check my stoma for swelling or irritation."
✔✔"I will avoid all fluids so my stool is thick."
"I will cut the wafer close to the stoma size."
A nurse is monitoring a client for dehydration related to diarrhea. Which finding supports this?
✔✔Dry mucous membranes
Increased urine output
Low heart rate
Moist skin
Which food should be avoided during episodes of diarrhea?
✔✔Spicy tacos
Boiled potatoes
Applesauce
Plain toast
What is the best time to encourage bowel elimination?
After drinking coffee
4
and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026
| Correct & Verified
A nurse is teaching a client about promoting regular bowel movements. Which statement
indicates understanding?
✔✔"I will drink at least eight glasses of water a day."
"I will avoid eating vegetables and fruits."
"I will lie down immediately after meals."
"I should take laxatives daily, even if I feel fine."
Which food should the nurse recommend to a client experiencing constipation?
Rice
Cheese
✔✔Prunes
Meat
What position should the client assume for receiving a cleansing enema?
Supine
1
,✔✔Left side-lying with right knee flexed
Sitting in a chair
Standing upright
Which action helps reduce gas and bloating?
Avoiding physical activity
✔✔Walking regularly
Consuming carbonated beverages
Eating large meals before bed
Which is a common cause of constipation in older adults?
✔✔Decreased gastrointestinal motility
High fluid intake
High levels of activity
Short colon length
What is the primary reason to avoid chronic use of stimulant laxatives?
They are expensive
2
,They taste unpleasant
✔✔They can lead to dependence
They prevent nutrient absorption
Which finding indicates a possible fecal impaction?
✔✔Small amounts of liquid stool
Bright red stool
Foul-smelling gas
Sharp abdominal pain relieved by defecation
What is the purpose of digital rectal examination before administering a suppository?
To test for blood
✔✔To assess for presence of stool
To reduce peristalsis
To relieve abdominal pain
Which statement by the client with a new colostomy requires further teaching?
"I will empty my pouch when it is one-third full."
3
, "I will check my stoma for swelling or irritation."
✔✔"I will avoid all fluids so my stool is thick."
"I will cut the wafer close to the stoma size."
A nurse is monitoring a client for dehydration related to diarrhea. Which finding supports this?
✔✔Dry mucous membranes
Increased urine output
Low heart rate
Moist skin
Which food should be avoided during episodes of diarrhea?
✔✔Spicy tacos
Boiled potatoes
Applesauce
Plain toast
What is the best time to encourage bowel elimination?
After drinking coffee
4
