The nurse is called to the client's room to assess the client's first bowel movement since surgery. Upon investigation, the nurse finds hard, dry, but formed stool. This is characteristic of which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hard, dry, but formed stool is characteristic of constipation, which is a common post-operative complication. Faecal impaction usually presents with complete bowel obstruction, whereas bowel incontinence and diarrhoea are characterized by loose stool, with or without loss of control.

The Nurse Is Called to the Client's Room to Assess