The nurse is caring for a patient who takes laxatives and enemas regularly to ensure that he has a large daily bowel movement. The patient states that he feels constipated if he does not defecate every day. Which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate for this patient?
A) Health-seeking behaviors related to self-prescribed daily bowel regimen
B) Perceived constipation related to professed need for daily laxatives
C) Effective therapeutic regimen management related to defecation routine
D) Disturbed thought processes related to obsession with daily bowel movements

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Perceived constipation is used when the patient self-diagnoses constipation and abuses laxatives to ensure daily bowel movements. This diagnosis best fits the patient's situation. The self-prescribed daily bowel regimen is not a health-seeking behavior because it is actually harmful to his health. His defecation routine is not an effective therapeutic regimen. The patient does not show evidence of disturbed thought processes.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who Takes Laxatives