Chapter 35: Bowel Elimination
1. A patient has completed an upper gastrointestinal x -ray, small bowel
series, and lower gastrointestinal x-ray. Following these x -rays, the nurse
will need to administer
a. A low-residue diet
b. An antibiotic
c. A laxative
d. High-fiber diet
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Feedback:
Barium is ingested during these exams. Barium can cause constipation.
Therefore, laxatives ar e commonl y ordered after the diagnostic test to
facilitate barium removal.
2. Which of the following symptoms is a known side effect of antibiotics?
a. Diarrhea
b. Constipation
c. Fecal impaction
d. Abdominal bloating
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Feedback:
, A side effect of taking antibiotics is diarrhea. Constipation, fecal
impaction and abdominal bloating are not common side effects of
antibiotics.
3. Which of the following medications causes constipation?
a. Magnesium antacids
b. Dulcolax
c. Aspirin
d. Iron supplements
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Feedback:
A common side effect of iron supplements is constipation. Dulcolax is
a stool softener. Aspirin is an analgesic that does not t ypically cause
constipation. Magnesium antacids help to decrease heartburn and do
not t ypicall y cause con stipation.
4. The nurse needs to assess the patients elimination patterns. Which of the
following patients will most likel y deny the urge to defecate?
a. Patient with anxiet y and depression
b. Patient who consumes >30 g of fiber
c. Patient who has a colostom y
d. Patient 3 days post -vaginal delivery
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Feedback:
, People who experience pain during defecation may choose to deny the
urge to defecate, which can lead to constipation. The patient with
anxiet y and depression t ypicall y does not have pain u pon defecation.
The patient with a colostom y will also t ypicall y not have pain upon
defecation. The patient consuming >30 g of fiber will t ypically not be
constipated.
5. Ignoring the urge to defecate on a continual basis leads to
a. Sudden increase in stool with mucus
b. Constipation and hard stool
c. Need to increase milk intake
d. Total loss of bowel control
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Feedback:
The longer feces remain in the large intestine, the more water is
absorbed; the result is harder, drier stool.
6. A young wom an has just consumed a serving of ice cream pie and
develops severe cramping and diarrhea. The school nurse suspects the
woman is
a. Allergic to sugar
b. Lactose intolerant
c. Experiencing infectious diarrhea
d. Deficit in fiber
CORRECT ANSWER: B
1. A patient has completed an upper gastrointestinal x -ray, small bowel
series, and lower gastrointestinal x-ray. Following these x -rays, the nurse
will need to administer
a. A low-residue diet
b. An antibiotic
c. A laxative
d. High-fiber diet
CORRECT ANSWER: C
Feedback:
Barium is ingested during these exams. Barium can cause constipation.
Therefore, laxatives ar e commonl y ordered after the diagnostic test to
facilitate barium removal.
2. Which of the following symptoms is a known side effect of antibiotics?
a. Diarrhea
b. Constipation
c. Fecal impaction
d. Abdominal bloating
CORRECT ANSWER: A
Feedback:
, A side effect of taking antibiotics is diarrhea. Constipation, fecal
impaction and abdominal bloating are not common side effects of
antibiotics.
3. Which of the following medications causes constipation?
a. Magnesium antacids
b. Dulcolax
c. Aspirin
d. Iron supplements
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Feedback:
A common side effect of iron supplements is constipation. Dulcolax is
a stool softener. Aspirin is an analgesic that does not t ypically cause
constipation. Magnesium antacids help to decrease heartburn and do
not t ypicall y cause con stipation.
4. The nurse needs to assess the patients elimination patterns. Which of the
following patients will most likel y deny the urge to defecate?
a. Patient with anxiet y and depression
b. Patient who consumes >30 g of fiber
c. Patient who has a colostom y
d. Patient 3 days post -vaginal delivery
CORRECT ANSWER: D
Feedback:
, People who experience pain during defecation may choose to deny the
urge to defecate, which can lead to constipation. The patient with
anxiet y and depression t ypicall y does not have pain u pon defecation.
The patient with a colostom y will also t ypicall y not have pain upon
defecation. The patient consuming >30 g of fiber will t ypically not be
constipated.
5. Ignoring the urge to defecate on a continual basis leads to
a. Sudden increase in stool with mucus
b. Constipation and hard stool
c. Need to increase milk intake
d. Total loss of bowel control
CORRECT ANSWER: B
Feedback:
The longer feces remain in the large intestine, the more water is
absorbed; the result is harder, drier stool.
6. A young wom an has just consumed a serving of ice cream pie and
develops severe cramping and diarrhea. The school nurse suspects the
woman is
a. Allergic to sugar
b. Lactose intolerant
c. Experiencing infectious diarrhea
d. Deficit in fiber
CORRECT ANSWER: B
