BSNC 3000 Module 5: Elimination & Constipation
Questions with Verified answers
Primary constipation refers to what? Ans✔✔-Constipation caused by
disturbance in bowel function
What is secondary constipation? Ans✔✔-Constipation caused by a
known secondary source
e.g. medications, obstruction, stroke, hypothyroidism
List the 3 sources of primary constipation Ans✔✔-1. Normal (functional)
2. Slow transit
3. Defecation defect
Describe normal (functional) constipation Ans✔✔--most common
-caused by low fluid and/or fiber intake, stress, and sedentary lifestyle
-perceived difficulty in defecating
-no impairment to colon motility
-frequency of passing stools might be normal, but smaller, firmer stools
Describe slow-transit constipation Ans✔✔--caused by disorders of motor
function of the colon (impaired innervation -> impaired peristalsis)
-stool passes through colon slowly -> increased water resorption ->
stools become harder
, -infrequent bowel mvmts
-decreased urge to defecate
-bloating
e.g. Hirschsprung's disease: insufficient nerve development on part of
the colon which prevents effective peristalsis, usually first appears in
babies and young children as constipation
Describe constipation caused by defecation disorders. Ans✔✔--
Dysfunction of the rectum, pelvic floor or anal sphincter
-Most common cause is dyssynergia: dysfunctional motor coordination
between pelvic floor and anal sphincter
-prolonged straining
-incomplete evacuation
-use of manual maneuvers
Patient reports feeling very full and abdominal distension. They report
having 4 BMs per week. Pts baseline is 1 BM per day. What type of
constipation is the patient most likely experiencing?
A) Normal (functional)
B) Slow-transit
C) Defecation reflex
D) Chronic Ans✔✔-B) Slow-transit
Questions with Verified answers
Primary constipation refers to what? Ans✔✔-Constipation caused by
disturbance in bowel function
What is secondary constipation? Ans✔✔-Constipation caused by a
known secondary source
e.g. medications, obstruction, stroke, hypothyroidism
List the 3 sources of primary constipation Ans✔✔-1. Normal (functional)
2. Slow transit
3. Defecation defect
Describe normal (functional) constipation Ans✔✔--most common
-caused by low fluid and/or fiber intake, stress, and sedentary lifestyle
-perceived difficulty in defecating
-no impairment to colon motility
-frequency of passing stools might be normal, but smaller, firmer stools
Describe slow-transit constipation Ans✔✔--caused by disorders of motor
function of the colon (impaired innervation -> impaired peristalsis)
-stool passes through colon slowly -> increased water resorption ->
stools become harder
, -infrequent bowel mvmts
-decreased urge to defecate
-bloating
e.g. Hirschsprung's disease: insufficient nerve development on part of
the colon which prevents effective peristalsis, usually first appears in
babies and young children as constipation
Describe constipation caused by defecation disorders. Ans✔✔--
Dysfunction of the rectum, pelvic floor or anal sphincter
-Most common cause is dyssynergia: dysfunctional motor coordination
between pelvic floor and anal sphincter
-prolonged straining
-incomplete evacuation
-use of manual maneuvers
Patient reports feeling very full and abdominal distension. They report
having 4 BMs per week. Pts baseline is 1 BM per day. What type of
constipation is the patient most likely experiencing?
A) Normal (functional)
B) Slow-transit
C) Defecation reflex
D) Chronic Ans✔✔-B) Slow-transit
