Infrequent difficult stool
hard and dry
Constipation
increased number, loose liquid stools
Diarrhea
Breast milk stools
Watery, yellow/brown
Formula stools
pasty and brown
When do toddlers gain bowel control
2-3 years old
Daily fiber requirements
25-30g/day
Lactose intolerance
difficulty digesting milk products
fluid intake requirements
2000-3000mL per day
effect of emotional distress on the bowels
increases peristalsis and exacerbates chronic conditions
effect of depression on the bowels
Decreases peristalsis and can lead to constipation
Laxatives
Soften stools
Cathartics
promote peristalsis
Laxative overuse
Weakens bowels
results in chronic constipation
Fecal incontinence
inability to control defecation
Hemorrhoids
Engorged, dilated blood vessels in the rectal wall
Causes of hemorrhoids
difficult defecation, pregnancy, liver disease, heart failure
Colostomies
End in the colon
Ileostomies
end in the ilium
Loop colostomies
temporary, help resolve medical emergency
usually in the transverse colon
Double-barrel colostomies
two abdominal stomas
can be reversed by reattaching the 2 ends
Paralytic illus
Peristalsis has stopped
intestinal obstruction caused by...
reduced motility following bowel manipulation during surgery
electrolyte imbalance
wound infection
medication
Causes of constipation
laxative overuse/other medication effects
advanced age
inadequate fluid or fiber intake
immobility/sedentary lifestyle
pregnancy
Diarrhea Causes
viral or bacterial gastroenteritis
antibiotic therapy
inflammatory bowel disease
irritable bowel syndrome
Fecal occult blood test (Guaiac test) should be done how many times?
three times from three different stool samples
What foods could cause a false positive on a Guaiac test?
Red meat, fish, poultry, raw veggies
Nursing care for constipation
Increase fiber and water intake
give bulk forming products
Stool softeners, stimulants, suppositories
Enemas
Complications of constipation
Fecal impaction
hemorrhoids and rectal fissures
bradycardia, hypotension, syncope
Fecal impaction
Stool becomes wedged in the rectum
Diarrhea can leak around the mass
Complications of Diarrhea
Dehydration
Fluid and electrolyte imbalance
skin breakdown
Major role of the colon
absorb water
What controls our GI system?
The nervous system
Bowel elimination requires
Presence of something to pass
passage
What happens if passage doesn't happen?
Waste builds up in the body
Food important to elimination
Fiber
How do fatty foods effect elimination
...
What slows down bowels?
Foods high in calcium and fats
(Cheese)
What gender is prone to bowel problems?
Females
Common problem for pregnant women?
Hemorrhoids
How does mobility effect the bowels?
Helps increase peristalsis
people who exercise a lot may get diarrhea
Common medications that cause diarrhea
Antibiotics
Common medications that cause constipation
Opioids
How long without a bowel movement is too long?
about a week
Disease processes that can cause really smelly stool
GI bleed
C. Diff
Some parasites
How long do you listen to the bowels in each quadrant?
at least 30 seconds
if sounds aren't present 2 min
Stool specimen (What are we looking for)
Bacteria
Blood
Parasites
Bowel/abdominal xray
Shows presence of stool/where stool is present
Barium Test
shows how the bowels are moving
Bowel training
Can be done, but should take them if they have the urge
Bowel obstruction
Can be caused by...
Stool
polyps
object
tumor
adhesions
Most common cause of bowel obstruction?
Adhestions
How many stools per day to be considered diarrhea?
at least 3
Irritable bowel sydrome
diagnosed by symptoms along
change in the function of the bowels, constant change from constipation/diarrhea
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcers formed in the bowel
3 types of iritable bowel syndrom
IBSD (diarrhea)
IBSC (Constipation)
IBSA (altering between the 2)
Patients with ulcerative colitis can develop what condition related to blood loss?
Anemia
Foods to avoid with ulcerative colitis
Seeds, foods with kernels
Diet with ulcerative colitis
Low fiber