NURS 240: ESSENTIAL STUDY GUIDE FOR INTESTINAL AND
RECTAL DISORDERS
Management of Patients With
Intestinal and Rectal Disorders
Study Guide
Based on course lecture slides
How to Use This Guide
• Each disorder has the same set of sections, in the same order, so the layout is predictable: Overview,
Manifestations, Assessment/Diagnostics, Complications, Patient Learning Needs / Interventions.
• Not every disorder in the original slides has every section — sections are only included when the slides had
content for them.
• Practice questions from the slides appear in a shaded box at the end of the relevant topic, with the correct
answer and explanation directly underneath.
1. Constipation
Definition
Fewer than three bowel movements weekly, or bowel movements that are hard, dry, small, or difficult to pass.
Perceived constipation: a subjective problem in which the person's elimination pattern is not consistent with
what he or she believes is "normal."
Causes
• Medications
• Chronic laxative use
• Weakness, immobility, fatigue
• Inability to increase intra-abdominal pressure
• Diet
• Ignoring the urge to defecate
• Lack of regular exercise
, Manifestations
• Fewer than three bowel movements per week
• Abdominal distention, pain, and bloating
• Sensation of incomplete evacuation
• Straining at stool
RECTAL DISORDERS
Management of Patients With
Intestinal and Rectal Disorders
Study Guide
Based on course lecture slides
How to Use This Guide
• Each disorder has the same set of sections, in the same order, so the layout is predictable: Overview,
Manifestations, Assessment/Diagnostics, Complications, Patient Learning Needs / Interventions.
• Not every disorder in the original slides has every section — sections are only included when the slides had
content for them.
• Practice questions from the slides appear in a shaded box at the end of the relevant topic, with the correct
answer and explanation directly underneath.
1. Constipation
Definition
Fewer than three bowel movements weekly, or bowel movements that are hard, dry, small, or difficult to pass.
Perceived constipation: a subjective problem in which the person's elimination pattern is not consistent with
what he or she believes is "normal."
Causes
• Medications
• Chronic laxative use
• Weakness, immobility, fatigue
• Inability to increase intra-abdominal pressure
• Diet
• Ignoring the urge to defecate
• Lack of regular exercise
, Manifestations
• Fewer than three bowel movements per week
• Abdominal distention, pain, and bloating
• Sensation of incomplete evacuation
• Straining at stool
