SHERPATH: CHAPTER 40, BOWEL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
GRADED A+ 2025/2026
Analyze Cues Related to Bowel Elimination Key Points - ANS - Hypotheses related to bowel
elimination are selected after organizing/linking relevant cues from assessment findings,
observations, and signs and symptoms.
- Common hypotheses related to bowel elimination include the following:
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Impaired Self-Toileting; needs assistance with self-toileting
- Alterations of bowel elimination may also lead to other problems not directly related to bowel
elimination, such as the following:
- Dehydration
- Disturbed Body Image; altered body image
- Impaired Skin Integrity; possible skin breakdown
Which cues support the hypothesis of Constipation for a patient?
Select all that apply.
a. Limited mobility
b. Receives narcotic pain medication
c. Decreased fluid intake
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,d. Female sex
e. Hyperactive bowel sounds - ANS a. Limited mobility
b. Receives narcotic pain medication
c. Decreased fluid intake
Which interpretation would the nurse make about a patient who says, "I only had one bowel
movement this week"?
a. This is abnormal.
b. The patient is constipated.
c. This may be an expected or unexpected finding.
d. The patient has a fecal impaction - ANS c. This may be an expected or unexpected finding.
Match the hypotheses to their cues.
1. Seeping liquid stool
2. Unable to control stools
3. Immobile patient
4. Blood-streaked stools
Hemorrhoid
Bowel Incontinence
Fecal Impaction
Impaired Self-Toileting
Dehydration - ANS 1. Fecal Impaction
2. Bowel Incontinence
3. Impaired Self-Toileting
4. Hemorrhoid
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, Which cues would prompt the nurse to develop a hypothesis of Dehydration for a patient?
Select all that apply.
a. Numerous semiliquid stools
b. Output more than intake
c. Dry mouth
d. Abdominal stoma
e. No bowel movement in several days - ANS a. Numerous semiliquid stools
b. Output more than intake
c. Dry mouth
Prioritize Hypotheses and Plan and Generate Solutions to Meet Patient Outcomes Related to
Bowel Elimination Key Points - ANS - Prioritizing hypotheses involves the following: life-
threatening, ABCs, immediate concern, likelihood of occurring, and which hypothesis, if
resolved, would affect other hypotheses.
- When planning patient care, the nurse identifies expected goals and outcomes. The goals for
patients with elimination problems are designed to:
- Relieve the current bowel alteration
- Maintain expected elimination patterns
- Return to previous levels of function
- Prevent risks associated with specific alterations
- From the hypothesis and outcomes, solutions for bowel elimination alterations are derived.
The majority of bowel elimination solutions focus on dietary measures, fluid needs, and
toileting assistance.
- The nurse consults and collaborates with other members of the multidisciplinary team when
developing solutions to meet the patient's bowel elimination needs
Which overall elimination goal is appropriate for a patient with a decrease in the frequency of
bowel movements?
a. Prevent diarrhea.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
GRADED A+ 2025/2026
Analyze Cues Related to Bowel Elimination Key Points - ANS - Hypotheses related to bowel
elimination are selected after organizing/linking relevant cues from assessment findings,
observations, and signs and symptoms.
- Common hypotheses related to bowel elimination include the following:
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Impaired Self-Toileting; needs assistance with self-toileting
- Alterations of bowel elimination may also lead to other problems not directly related to bowel
elimination, such as the following:
- Dehydration
- Disturbed Body Image; altered body image
- Impaired Skin Integrity; possible skin breakdown
Which cues support the hypothesis of Constipation for a patient?
Select all that apply.
a. Limited mobility
b. Receives narcotic pain medication
c. Decreased fluid intake
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,d. Female sex
e. Hyperactive bowel sounds - ANS a. Limited mobility
b. Receives narcotic pain medication
c. Decreased fluid intake
Which interpretation would the nurse make about a patient who says, "I only had one bowel
movement this week"?
a. This is abnormal.
b. The patient is constipated.
c. This may be an expected or unexpected finding.
d. The patient has a fecal impaction - ANS c. This may be an expected or unexpected finding.
Match the hypotheses to their cues.
1. Seeping liquid stool
2. Unable to control stools
3. Immobile patient
4. Blood-streaked stools
Hemorrhoid
Bowel Incontinence
Fecal Impaction
Impaired Self-Toileting
Dehydration - ANS 1. Fecal Impaction
2. Bowel Incontinence
3. Impaired Self-Toileting
4. Hemorrhoid
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, Which cues would prompt the nurse to develop a hypothesis of Dehydration for a patient?
Select all that apply.
a. Numerous semiliquid stools
b. Output more than intake
c. Dry mouth
d. Abdominal stoma
e. No bowel movement in several days - ANS a. Numerous semiliquid stools
b. Output more than intake
c. Dry mouth
Prioritize Hypotheses and Plan and Generate Solutions to Meet Patient Outcomes Related to
Bowel Elimination Key Points - ANS - Prioritizing hypotheses involves the following: life-
threatening, ABCs, immediate concern, likelihood of occurring, and which hypothesis, if
resolved, would affect other hypotheses.
- When planning patient care, the nurse identifies expected goals and outcomes. The goals for
patients with elimination problems are designed to:
- Relieve the current bowel alteration
- Maintain expected elimination patterns
- Return to previous levels of function
- Prevent risks associated with specific alterations
- From the hypothesis and outcomes, solutions for bowel elimination alterations are derived.
The majority of bowel elimination solutions focus on dietary measures, fluid needs, and
toileting assistance.
- The nurse consults and collaborates with other members of the multidisciplinary team when
developing solutions to meet the patient's bowel elimination needs
Which overall elimination goal is appropriate for a patient with a decrease in the frequency of
bowel movements?
a. Prevent diarrhea.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
