10.Specify dietary measures to alleviate the
following gastrointestinal problems.
a.Constipation:b.Diarrhea:c. Flatulence:d.Ostomies:11.Describe the following exercises designed for
patients with weak abdominal and perineal
muscles who are using a bedpan.
a.Abdominal settings:b.Thigh strengthening:12.List four reasons for prescribing cleansing
enemas.
a.
b.
c.
d.
13.Briefly describe the following types of
ostomies.
a.Ileostomy:b.Colostomy:14.Describe how the following factors help pro-
mote healthy bowel habits in patients.
a.Timing:b.Positioning:c. Privacy:d.Nutrition:e.Exercise:APPLYING YOUR KNOWLEDGE
CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS
1.Develop a list of preferred foods to ensure
healthy bowel elimination for the following
patients.
a.A woman complains of constipation
following a cesarean section.
b.A 40-year-old man who is under stress in
his job complains of frequent diarrhea.
c.A toddler’s stools are hard and dry, and he
complains of frequent stomachaches.
What other factors are likely to promote
healthy bowel elimination in these patients?
2.Perform a physical assessment and write a
nursing diagnosis for a patient who has just
had a colostomy performed. What changes
will this patient face in his life, and what can
be done to help him cope with them? How
can you best learn this? Be sure to assess this
patient’s physical and psychological factors,
body image, coping mechanisms, and support
system. Develop a nursing care plan to provide
postoperative care, hospital care, and follow-
up care for this patient.REFLECTIVE PRACTICE USING CRITICAL
THINKING SKILLS
Use the following expanded scenario from
Chapter 38 in your textbook to answer the
questions below.
Scenario:Leroy Cobbs, age 56, was recently
diagnosed with prostate cancer. He is taking
acetaminophen (Tylenol) with codeine for
pain and is hospitalized for fecal impaction.
During the physical examination, Mr. Cobbs
says, “Nobody told me I would get so
constipated. It’s been almost a week and I’m
still not moving my bowels normally. I didn’t
know anything could hurt so bad!” Mr. Cobbs
reports that he had regular, pain-free bowel
movements, once daily, before taking the pain
medication. He appears frustrated and says,
“I’ll take my chances with the cancer pain in
the future rather than take more pain
medicine and have this happen again.”CHAPTER 38 BOWEL ELIMINATION 259
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