A Client Experiencing Constipation or Diarrhea

The elderly client is discussing complaints of constipation with the clinic nurse. The client tells the nurse, I take a laxative every day so that I will have a howel movement every day. Which statement should the nurse respond to first  

Have you ever had a rash or itching when you took a laxative  

Most people don t have to have bowel movements daily.  

The client is complaining of not having a bowel movement in 4 days and is having abdominal discomfort. Which intervention should the nurse recommend to the 

Instruct the client to take methylcellulose (Citrucel), a bulk-forming laxative. 

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