NURS 190 WEEK 6 URINARY AND ABDOMEN
SYSTEM EXAM SCRIPT 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS
◉ What causes constipation? Answer: Fewer than 3 bowel
movements per week, difficulty, and hard stools due to decreased
motility
◉ What is bowel incontinence? Answer: Inability to control the
passage of feces or gas
◉ What is diverticulosis? Answer: Presence of diverticula, often
asymptomatic
◉ What is the common cause of bowel obstruction? Answer:
Mechanical factors like adhesions, hernias, and tumors, or functional
issues like paralytic ileus
◉ What are the common prevalence rates for bowel issues? Answer:
~20% for diarrhea, ~20% for constipation, ~5% for incontinence in
the past week
,◉ What are some nursing assessments for bowel elimination?
Answer: Observation/history, physical examination, and diagnostic
tests
◉ What interventions can help with constipation? Answer: Increase
fluid and fiber intake, dietary education, behavioral management,
and bowel training
◉ What are the lifespan considerations for bowel elimination in
newborns? Answer: Pass meconium within 8-48 hours; stool
characteristics vary with feeding
◉ What are some common bowel issues in older adults? Answer: Up
to 50% experience constipation due to reduced activity, inadequate
fluid/fiber, and medications
◉ What is the role of cognition in elimination? Answer: Decreased
cognition can lead to decreased awareness of elimination patterns
and fluid intake
◉ How does infection affect bowel and urinary elimination? Answer:
Increased risk of C. difficile diarrhea and urinary tract infections
(UTIs)
, ◉ What are the nursing implications for patients on IV antibiotics?
Answer: Assess for diarrhea, implement contact isolation for C. diff,
and enhance perineal care
◉ What is the impact of inflammation on elimination? Answer:
Increased inflammation can lead to fluid/electrolyte/nutrient loss
and discomfort
◉ What is the effect of general anesthesia on bowel function?
Answer: Slows colon activity and can lead to paralytic ileus for 24-
48 hours post-op
◉ What dietary changes can help manage bowel health in older
adults? Answer: Emphasize fiber, fluids, exercise, and responding to
gastrocolic reflex
◉ What is the significance of the gastrocolic reflex? Answer: It
prompts the urge to defecate after meals
◉ What are the common medications that can affect bowel
elimination? Answer: Laxatives, stool softeners, antidiarrheals, and
medications causing constipation or diarrhea
SYSTEM EXAM SCRIPT 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS
◉ What causes constipation? Answer: Fewer than 3 bowel
movements per week, difficulty, and hard stools due to decreased
motility
◉ What is bowel incontinence? Answer: Inability to control the
passage of feces or gas
◉ What is diverticulosis? Answer: Presence of diverticula, often
asymptomatic
◉ What is the common cause of bowel obstruction? Answer:
Mechanical factors like adhesions, hernias, and tumors, or functional
issues like paralytic ileus
◉ What are the common prevalence rates for bowel issues? Answer:
~20% for diarrhea, ~20% for constipation, ~5% for incontinence in
the past week
,◉ What are some nursing assessments for bowel elimination?
Answer: Observation/history, physical examination, and diagnostic
tests
◉ What interventions can help with constipation? Answer: Increase
fluid and fiber intake, dietary education, behavioral management,
and bowel training
◉ What are the lifespan considerations for bowel elimination in
newborns? Answer: Pass meconium within 8-48 hours; stool
characteristics vary with feeding
◉ What are some common bowel issues in older adults? Answer: Up
to 50% experience constipation due to reduced activity, inadequate
fluid/fiber, and medications
◉ What is the role of cognition in elimination? Answer: Decreased
cognition can lead to decreased awareness of elimination patterns
and fluid intake
◉ How does infection affect bowel and urinary elimination? Answer:
Increased risk of C. difficile diarrhea and urinary tract infections
(UTIs)
, ◉ What are the nursing implications for patients on IV antibiotics?
Answer: Assess for diarrhea, implement contact isolation for C. diff,
and enhance perineal care
◉ What is the impact of inflammation on elimination? Answer:
Increased inflammation can lead to fluid/electrolyte/nutrient loss
and discomfort
◉ What is the effect of general anesthesia on bowel function?
Answer: Slows colon activity and can lead to paralytic ileus for 24-
48 hours post-op
◉ What dietary changes can help manage bowel health in older
adults? Answer: Emphasize fiber, fluids, exercise, and responding to
gastrocolic reflex
◉ What is the significance of the gastrocolic reflex? Answer: It
prompts the urge to defecate after meals
◉ What are the common medications that can affect bowel
elimination? Answer: Laxatives, stool softeners, antidiarrheals, and
medications causing constipation or diarrhea
