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Bowel Elimination in Support Work

Here are 3 potential courses of action for a newborn infant that has not had a bowel movement in over 12 hours: 1. Notify the nurse and doctor of the situation. A lack of bowel movements in a newborn could indicate a potential medical issue that requires evaluation. 2. Gently massage or rub the infant's abdomen to stimulate bowel movements. Applying light pressure may help move stool through the intestines. 3. Check with the parents about the infant's feeding schedule and stool patterns. A lack of bowel movements may be normal if the baby is being exclusively breastfed. Consult the parents and medical team for guidance specific to the infant. 2. You are assisting a client who has had a colostomy for

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126 views3 pages

Bowel Elimination in Support Work

Here are 3 potential courses of action for a newborn infant that has not had a bowel movement in over 12 hours: 1. Notify the nurse and doctor of the situation. A lack of bowel movements in a newborn could indicate a potential medical issue that requires evaluation. 2. Gently massage or rub the infant's abdomen to stimulate bowel movements. Applying light pressure may help move stool through the intestines. 3. Check with the parents about the infant's feeding schedule and stool patterns. A lack of bowel movements may be normal if the baby is being exclusively breastfed. Consult the parents and medical team for guidance specific to the infant. 2. You are assisting a client who has had a colostomy for

Uploaded by

Conor McLeod
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Sorrentino: Mosby’s Canadian Textbook for the Support Worker, 4th Edition

Chapter 33: Bowel Elimination

STUDENT ASSIGNMENT

Date: ________________________________ Name: ________________________________

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Match each term with the correct definition.

Colostomy 1. ______ The introduction of fluid into the rectum and lower colon

Constipation 2. ______ Excreted feces

Diarrhea 3. ______ Gas or air passed through the anus

Enema 4. ______ An artificial opening between the colon and the

Feces abdominal wall

Flatus 5. ______ The frequent passage of liquid stools

Melena 6. ______ The surgical creation of an artificial opening

Ostomy 7. ______ The semi-solid mass of waste products in the colon

Peristalsis 8. ______ A black, tarry stool

Stool 9. ______ The passage of a hard, dry stool

10. ______ The alternating contraction and relaxation of intestinal

muscles
INDEPENDENT LEARNING ACTIVITIES

1. Do you ever have difficulty regulating your own bowel elimination? Answer these

questions about how you treat problems with bowel elimination.

a. What causes you to have problems with bowel elimination? Foods? Illness?

Stress? Inactivity?

b. What methods have you used to treat problems with bowel elimination?
Sorrentino: Mosby’s Canadian Textbook for the Support Worker, 4th Edition

Diet? Medication?

c. How do you feel when problems with bowel elimination occur? What type of

physical discomfort occurs? Emotional distress?

d. How do problems with bowel elimination affect your appetite? Sleep and

rest? Energy level? Mood?

e. What effect does a problem with bowel elimination have on your life? How

does it affect your participation in work and leisure activities?

f. How can you relate your personal experience to the feelings and concerns

of a client you are caring for who has problems with bowel elimination?

2. Do you know someone who has a colostomy or ileostomy? If you

feel comfortable with the person, ask these questions to better understand the

problems he or she has daily.

a. How long has the person had the ostomy? Is it permanent or temporary?

b. What problems has the client experienced in learning to live with the ostomy?

How have friends, family, and others reacted to knowing the client has an ostomy?

c. What has been the hardest adjustment? What has been the easiest?

d. What type of pouch is being used? What other types were tried? What are the

advantages of the type being used?

e. How much time is required each day to care for the ostomy? What is the

client’s schedule to care for the ostomy?

f. How expensive is the equipment used?

g. What leisure activities does the client have? Did the client have to change or

give up any activities due to the ostomy? What changes occurred in the client’s body
Sorrentino: Mosby’s Canadian Textbook for the Support Worker, 4th Edition

image?

CRITICAL THINKING EXERCISES

1. You are assisting with the care of a newborn infant. Your 12-hour shift is almost
over and the infant has not had a bowel movement. What is the correct course of
action?

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