Samuel Jack, 67 years old, is complaining of difficulty passing stools for several days. Upon changing his soiled diaper, you noticed an accumulation of hardened, putty-like fecal mass at the rectum. You need to report to the nurse that Mr. Jack has:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mr. Jack has fecal impaction. Constipation is an acute or chronic condition in which bowel movements occur less often than usual or consist of hard, dry stools that are painful or difficult to pass. Bowel habits vary, but an adult who has not had a bowel movement in three days or a child who has not had a bowel movement in four days is considered constipated. Obstipation is a condition of extreme and persistent constipation caused by obstruction in the intestinal system. Tympanites is a distention of the abdomen resulting from the accumulation of gas or air in the intestine or peritoneal cavity.

Samuel Jack, 67 Years Old, Is Complaining of Difficulty Passing