Nursing 105

Essentials of Nursing Study Guide

©2018 Achieve Page 40 of 160 include: bran, prunes, figs, chocolate and alcohol. Constipation-producing foods include: cheese, pasta, eggs, and lean meat. • Fluid: The body continues to reabsorb fluid from chyme as it passes along the colon. Daily fluid intake should be 2000-3000ml. • Psychologic factors: Anxiety and anger can increase peristaltic activity, while depression can slow intestinal motility. • Defecation habits: When normal defecation reflexes are inhibited or ignored the reflexes tend to be progressively weakened. Individual preferences and patterns, use of laxatives, health habits, fluid intake, dietary habits and activity level all play a role in elimination habits. Defecation stimulates peristalsis, facilitating the movement of chyme along the colon. • Medications: Morphine, codeine, and iron cause constipation. Medications can change the color of stool. Aspirin will turn stool red or black. Iron will turn stool black or green. Antibiotics can turn stool gray or green. Antacids cause a whitish discoloration to stool. • Diagnostic procedures : Preparations used for diagnostic tests may prevent defecation until feeding is resumed. • Anesthesia and surgery: General anesthetics block parasympathetic stimulation to the muscles of the colon. Paralytic ileus lasts 24-48 hours post-surgery. • Pathologic conditions: Spinal cord and head injuries can decrease the sensory stimulation for defecation. • Physical conditions: Immobility, decreased sphincter tone, decreased abdominal and pelvic muscle tone and colonic atony can affect elimination abilities. • Socioeconomic factors: Excess intake of refined carbohydrates and decreased intake of fresh fruits and vegetables contribute to the elimination process. • Environmental factors: Access to sanitary facilities, privacy, time, ignoring gastrocolic reflex, schedule demands, and height of toilets are all factors to consider. • Cultural and spiritual considerations: Cleansing and modesty are factors that lead to elimination consistency. 2.3 Common Disturbances of the Intestines Constipation Constipation is fewer than three bowel movements per week. Contributing factors include insufficient fiber or fluid intake, insufficient activity, irregular defecation habits, change in daily routine, lack of privacy, chronic enema or laxative use, depression or mental confusion, and medications with opiates or iron salts. Valsalva maneuver can be a problem for people with heart disease, brain injuries, or respiratory disease. Constipation in children usually occurs at three distinct points in time: after starting formula or processed foods (while an infant), during toilet training in toddlerhood, and soon after starting school. After birth, most infants pass 4-5 soft liquid bowel movements (BM) a day. Breast-fed infants usually