Deck 26: Bowel Elimination

Question 1

Defecation is:

A) Passage of a hard,dry stool
B) Frequent passage of liquid stools
C) Prolonged retention and accumulation of feces in the rectum
D) The process of excreting feces from the rectum through the anus

Answer 1

The process of excreting feces from the rectum through the anus

Question 2

Gas-forming foods aid defecation because they:

A) Form chyme
B) Stimulate peristalsis
C) Absorb fluid
D) Are easy to chew and digest

Answer 2

Stimulate peristalsis

Question 3

You are assisting a resident with elimination.You need to do which of the following?

A) Open doors,the privacy curtain,and window curtains,blinds,or shades.
B) Follow Standard Precautions and the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard.
C) Ask the person to yell for help when he is done.
D) Stand next to the person until the person is finished.

Answer 3

Follow Standard Precautions and the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard.

Question 4

Newborns usually have a bowel movement:

A) 3 times a day.
B) 6 times a day.
C) With every feeding
D) In the morning and at bedtime

Question 5

Flatulence is:

A) The excessive formation of gas or air in the stomach and intestines
B) Gas or air passed through the anus
C) A black,tarry stool
D) Excreted feces

Question 6

Feces move through the intestines by:

A) Chyme
B) Peristalsis
C) Defecation
D) Flatulence

Question 7

Breast-fed infants have:

A) Yellow stools
B) Gray stools
C) Green stools
D) Black stools

Question 8

Constipation is:

A) Passage of a hard,dry stool
B) Frequent passage of liquid stools
C) Prolonged retention and accumulation of feces in the rectum
D) Inability to control the passage of feces and gas through the anus

Question 9

Why does privacy affect elimination?

A) Bowel movements and sounds are embarrassing.
B) Some people usually have a bowel movement after breakfast.
C) Reading is relaxing.
D) The passage of feces slows down.

Question 10

Which slows the passage of feces through the intestines?

A) Exercise and activity
B) Water
C) Aging
D) Peristalsis

Question 11

A colostomy is a surgically created opening between the:

A) Small intestine and abdominal wall
B) Colon and abdominal wall
C) Ileum and abdominal wall
D) Rectum and abdominal wall

Question 12

Flatus is:

A) The excessive formation of gas in the stomach and intestines
B) Gas or air passed through the anus
C) A black,tarry stool
D) Excreted feces

Question 13

How many glasses of water does a person need daily to promote normal bowel elimination?

A) 2 to 4
B) 4 to 6
C) 6 to 8
D) 8 to 10

Question 14

What is a common time for bowel elimination?

A) Before breakfast
B) After breakfast
C) Before the evening meal
D) After the evening meal

Question 15

Which foods are needed for normal bowel elimination?

A) Milk
B) Chocolate
C) Fruits and vegetables
D) Fried foods

Question 16

An enema is:

A) The excessive loss of water from tissues
B) The introduction of fluid into the rectum and lower colon
C) Gas or air in the stomach or intestines
D) A cone-shaped,solid drug inserted into a body opening

Question 17

Fecal impaction is:

A) Passage of a hard,dry stool
B) Frequent passage of liquid stools
C) Prolonged retention and buildup of feces in the rectum
D) Inability to control the passage of feces and gas through the anus

Question 18

Fecal incontinence is the:

A) Passage of a hard,dry stool
B) Frequent passage of liquid stools
C) Prolonged retention and accumulation of feces in the rectum
D) Inability to control the passage of feces and gas through the anus

Question 19

These statements are about normal elimination.Which is correct?

A) A bowel movement is needed every day.
B) Stools are normally black.
C) Stools are normally hard and shaped into balls.
D) Stools normally have an odor.

Question 20

Which fluids increase peristalsis?

A) Cold fluids
B) Warm fluids
C) Alcoholic beverages
D) Thick beverages

Question 21

A patient complains of flatulence.The person has the following food choices.Which causes flatulence?

A) Onions
B) Meat
C) Carrots
D) Potatoes

Question 22

Stimulation of the vagus nerve in the rectum:

A) Increases the heart rate
B) Slows the heart rate
C) Increases the respiratory rate
D) Slows the respiratory rate

Question 23

A patient complains of constipation.If the person is constipated,you would expect her stools to be:

A) Hard and dry
B) Liquid
C) Soft and formed
D) Putty-like

Question 24

You report to the nurse that a resident is complaining of constipation.The nurse holds a care conference to discuss the person's care plan.The following measures are discussed.Which will relieve constipation?

A) Increasing the person's milk intake
B) Encouraging the person to lie down more
C) Offering the person tea and prune juice at breakfast
D) Doing a digital rectal examination

Question 25

A resident has diarrhea.You know that the person is at risk for:

A) Dehydration
B) Enema
C) Fecal incontinence
D) An ostomy

Question 26

Which can occur if constipation is not relieved?

A) Fecal impaction
B) Enema
C) Diarrhea
D) Suppository

Question 27

You are removing a fecal impaction.When you check the person's pulse,you note an irregular rhythm.What should you do?

A) Finish the procedure and call the nurse.
B) Stop the procedure.
C) Ask if the person feels well enough to continue.
D) Check the other vital signs.If they are normal,continue the procedure.

Question 28

Checking for and removing impactions are dangerous because:

A) The procedure embarrasses some people
B) The procedure is uncomfortable
C) The vagus nerve in the rectum can be stimulated
D) The procedure causes the urge to defecate

Question 29

A resident has finished defecating.You need to do which of the following?

A) Prepare an enema
B) Dispose of stools promptly
C) Assist the person with changing their diaper
D) Give the person a suppository

Question 30

A person has diarrhea.You know that liquid feces and frequent wiping can lead to:

A) Skin breakdown
B) Dehydration
C) Oliguria
D) Death

Question 31

A resident complains of diarrhea.The person needs assistance with ambulation.When the person's call light is on,you need to:

A) Answer promptly
B) Go to the person as soon as you finish assisting another resident
C) Ask a co-worker to help you
D) Tell the nurse

Question 32

Which is a cause of fecal incontinence?

A) Chronic illness
B) A high-fiber diet
C) Increase in use of enemas
D) Excessive exercise

Question 33

Which is a symptom of fecal impaction?

A) Back discomfort
B) Rectal pain
C) Diarrhea
D) Joint pain

Question 34

A patient complains of constipation.If the person is constipated,you would expect her stools to be:

A) Large or marble-sized
B) Liquid
C) Soft and shaped like the rectum
D) Black and tarry

Question 35

What is the usual position for defecation?

A) Sitting or squatting
B) Sims'
C) Semi-Fowler's
D) Left side-lying

Question 36

The nurse did a digital removal of an impaction.This means that the nurse:

A) Gave an enema
B) Gave a suppository
C) Used a lubricated,gloved finger to remove the impaction
D) Applied an ostomy pouch

Question 37

Which is a sign of fecal impaction?

A) The frequent passage of liquid stools
B) Marble-sized stools
C) Liquid feces seeping from the anus
D) Passage of large stools

Question 38

A patient complains of flatulence.Which position often produces flatus?

A) Fowler's
B) Semi-Fowler's
C) Right side-lying
D) Left side-lying

Question 39

A person has fecal incontinence.The following measures are part of the care plan.Which should you question?

A) Assist with elimination only after meals.
B) Assist with elimination every 2 to 3 hours.
C) Give good skin care.
D) Empty ostomy pouch when feces are present.

Question 40

Why is diarrhea serious in infants and young children?

A) Stools are liquid and watery.
B) They cannot meet their own needs.
C) They have large amounts of body water and are at risk for dehydration.
D) Diarrhea causes abdominal cramping and discomfort.

Question 41

Water temperature for an enema solution for adults usually is:

A) 100°F
B) 105°F
C) 110°F
D) Body temperature

Question 42

Oil-retention enemas are given for:

A) Constipation or fecal impaction
B) Flatulence
C) Certain surgeries and diagnostic procedures
D) Ostomies

Question 43

Before disposing of the enema results,you need to:

A) Make your observations
B) Ask the resident to observe the results
C) Provide perineal care
D) Disinfect the bedpan or commode

Question 44

The nurse gave a patient a suppository.When should you expect the person to have a bowel movement?

A) Right away
B) In 10 minutes
C) In 20 minutes
D) In 30 minutes

Question 45

The doctor ordered a saline enema.What is added to the enema solution?

A) Mineral oil
B) A drug
C) Castile soap
D) Salt

Question 46

You are preparing to give a saline enema.To remove air from the enema tube,you need to:

A) Close the clamp
B) Lubricate the tip
C) Let solution flow through the tube
D) Keep the enema bag level with the anus

Question 47

Which enema is very irritating to the bowel's mucous lining?

A) Saline enema
B) Soapsuds enema
C) Tap-water enema
D) Oil-retention enema

Question 48

You are giving a cleansing enema.Which action is correct?

A) Inserting the tube 6 inches into the adult's rectum
B) Holding the solution bag 6 inches above the anus
C) Lubricating the enema tip before inserting it
D) Measuring water temperature with your inner forearm

Question 49

Enemas are given to relieve the following problems except:

A) Diarrhea
B) Constipation
C) Fecal impaction
D) Flatulence

Question 50

How much enema solution is usually given to an adult?

A) 100 to 120 mL
B) 200 to 300 mL
C) 500 to 750 mL
D) 500 to 1000 mL

Question 51

Giving an enema is delegated to you.Because of the end-of-shift report,the nurse will not be available to supervise you.What should you do?

A) Ask a co-worker to help you.
B) Give the enema if it is in your job description.
C) Give the enema because it was part of your education and training.
D) Refuse to give the enema because the nurse is not available to supervise you.

Question 52

You know that enemas:

A) Are given before certain surgeries and diagnostic procedures
B) Are not given before surgery
C) Are not given to children
D) Are only given to relieve constipation and fecal impaction

Question 53

How far is the enema tube usually inserted into the adult rectum?

A) 1 to 3 inches
B) 2 to 4 inches
C) 4 to 5 inches
D) 5 to 6 inches

Question 54

What is the preferred position for giving an enema?

A) Fowler's or semi-Fowler's position
B) Sims' or left side-lying position
C) Prone or supine position
D) Supine or right side-lying position

Question 55

Oil-retention enemas are retained for at least:

A) 15 minutes.
B) 15 to 30 minutes.
C) 30 to 180 minutes.
D) 3 hours.

Question 56

A cleansing enema takes effect:

A) Right away
B) In 5 to 10 minutes
C) In 10 to 20 minutes
D) In 30 minutes

Question 57

Bowel training is helpful for preventing which of the following?

A) Diarrhea
B) Urinary tract infection
C) Constipation
D) Skin ulcers

Question 58

A patient complains of flatulence.The following measures are part of the person's care plan.Which should you question?

A) Offer carbonated beverages.
B) Have the person move about when in bed.
C) Encourage walking.
D) Encourage exercise.

Question 59

You are giving a saline enema.During the procedure,the person complains of cramping.What should you do?

A) Call for the nurse.
B) Clamp the tubing.
C) Remove the tubing.
D) Insert the tubing farther.

Question 60

A bowel training program was developed for a resident.The person usually has a bowel movement after breakfast.When should you assist the person with elimination?

A) Before breakfast
B) After breakfast
C) Before lunch
D) After lunch

Question 61

To empty an ostomy pouch:

A) The belt is removed
B) The pouch is removed
C) The drain at the top is opened
D) The drain at the bottom is opened

Question 62

After giving an oil-retention enema,the person is left in the:

A) Fowler's or semi-Fowler's position.
B) Sims' or left side-lying position.
C) Prone or supine position
D) Supine or right side-lying position

Question 63

Ostomy pouches are usually changed:

A) Every day
B) Every time feces are present
C) Every 2 to 7 days
D) Every month

Question 64

Saline enemas are used for cleansing enemas in children.

Question 65

You just applied a new ostomy pouch.When can the person shower or bathe?

A) Right away
B) In 1 to 2 hours
C) In 8 hours
D) The next day

Question 66

These statements are about colostomies.Which is correct?

A) The person completes a bowel training program to learn how to defecate again.
B) Stool consistency should always look the same.
C) The more colon remaining,the more liquid the stool.
D) Good skin care is necessary because feces irritate the skin.

Question 67

Ostomy pouches are disposed of by flushing them down the toilet.

Question 68

A person with an ostomy pouch wears:

A) Tight clothes
B) Normal clothes
C) A hospital gown
D) Clothes selected by the nurse

Question 69

Touching an ostomy stoma causes pain and discomfort.

Question 70

When is the best time to shower with an ostomy pouch off?

A) Before breakfast
B) After breakfast
C) After the evening meal
D) Before bedtime

Question 71

A person has an ostomy pouch.The pouch is bulging from flatus.What should you do?

A) Call for the nurse.
B) Make a hole in the pouch for the escape of gas.
C) Open the pouch.
D) Change the pouch.

Question 72

A person has an ileostomy.Which statement is correct?

A) Part of the colon was removed.
B) Feces are solid in consistency.
C) Feces drain constantly from the ileostomy.
D) Water is absorbed before feces are expelled into the pouch.

Question 73

You need to give a cleansing enema to a toddler.The nurse will tell you how far to insert the enema tube.

Question 74

Which will best prevent ostomy pouch odors?

A) Spraying perfume in the room
B) Limiting the frequency of emptying the pouch
C) Putting deodorants into the pouch
D) Eating cucumbers and radishes

Question 75

Persons with ostomies manage their own care if able.