Bowel movement

Health Hazards Information - Recommended Personal Protective Equipment Goggles or face shield Symptoms Following Exposure Ingestion of liquid can cause very loose bowel movements General Treatment for Exposure EYES wash with water Toxicity by Inhalation (Threshold Umit Value) Not pertinent Short-Term Inhalation Limits Not pertinent Toxicity by Ingestion Grade 1, LDjq 5 to 15 g/kg Late Toxicity None Vapor (Gas) Irritant Characteristics None Liquid or Solid Irritant Characteristics None Odor Threshold Not pertinent. 

The nurse inspects each bowel movement and immediately reports to the primary health care provider the occurrence of diarrhea or loose stools containing blood and mucus because it may be necessary to discontinue the drug use and institute treatment for diarrhea, a superinfection, or pseudomembranous colitis. 

When an opiate is used as an antidiarrheal drug, the nurse records each bowel movement, as well as its appearance, color, and consistency. The nurse should notify the primary health care provider immediately if diarrhea is not relieved or becomes worse if die patient has severe abdominal pain or if blood in die stool is noted. 

CONSTIPATION The nurse checks the bowel elimination pattern daily because constipation can occur with repeated doses of a narcotic. The nurse keeps a daily record of bowel movements and informs the primary health care provider if constipation appears to be a problem. Most patients should begin taking a stool softener or laxative with the initial dose of a narcotic analgesic. Many patients need to continue taking a laxative as long as the narcotic analgesic is taken. If the patient is constipated despite the use of a stool softener, the primary health care provider may prescribe an enema or another means of relieving constipation. 

Older adults are particularly prone to constipation when taking the bile acid sequestrants The nurse should monitor older adults dosety for hard dry stools difficulty passing stools and any complaints of constipation. An accurate record of bowel movements must be kept. 

Loral solution before Gl exam (do not give solid foods within 2 h before administration) 17 g of powder/d in 8 oz of water (48-72 h may be required to produce a bowel movement)... 

ANTIDIARRHEALS. These drags may be ordered to be given after each loose bowel movement. The nurse inspects each bowel movement before making a decision to administer the drag. 

ANTACIDS. When antacids are given, the nurse keeps a record of the patient s bowel movements because these drug may cause constipation or diarrhea. If the patient experiences diarrhea, the nurse keeps an accurate record of fluid intake and output along with a description of the diarrhea stool. Changing to a different antacid usually alleviates the problem. Diarrhea may be controlled by combining a magnesium antacid with an antacid containing aluminum or calcium. 

LAXATIVES. The nurse records file results of administration on the patient s chart. If excessive bowel movements or severe prolonged diarrhea occur or if file laxative is ineffective, the nurse notifies file primary health care provider. If a laxative is ordered for constipation, the nurse encourages a liberal fluid intake and an increase in foods high in fiber to prevent a repeat of this problem. 

Avoid long-term use of these products unless use of tiie product has been recommended by the primary health care provider. Long-term use may result in tiie laxative habit, which is a dependence on a laxative to have a bowel movement. Constipation may also occur with overuse of these dru . Read and follow the directions on the label. 

Patients with intestinal obstruction may complain of abdominal pain, abdominal distention, and/or decreased bowel movements. 

Assess gastrointestinal symptoms. What is the quantity and quality of bowel movements Does the patient have bloating, flatulence, or abdominal pain ... 

A complete history should be obtained so that the patient s symptoms can be evaluated and the diagnosis of constipation confirmed. The diagnosis of constipation is suggested by fewer than three bowel movements per week, consistency of hard lumpy stool, excessive straining, prolonged defecation time, or need to support the perineum or digitally manipulate the anorectum. 

Functional constipation (constipation occurring in the absence of a demonstrated pathologic condition) involves the presence of at least two of the following symptoms straining, lumpy or hard stools, sensation of incomplete evacuation, sensation of anorectal obstruction or blockage, need for manual maneuvers to facilitate defecation and/or, infrequent (fewer than three) bowel movements per week. 

Each day most persons experience a strong peristaltic wave known as the gastrocolic reflex. A bowel movement usually follows. When the urge to have a bowel movement occurs, it should not be ignored. Some people put off having a stool for various reasons, which may lead to more difficulty in passing stool. Time should be planned daily to attempt having a stool. A busy lifestyle should not be allowed to interfere with normal bowel function. 

Tegaserod maleate (Zelnorm) is a partial serotonin (5-HT4) receptor agonist that causes an increase in peristaltic activity and intestinal secretion and moderation of visceral sensitivity. It increases the frequency of bowel movements and reduces abdominal discomfort, bloating, and straining. It is indicated for the treatment of patients younger than 65 years of age who experience chronic idiopathic constipation. The most common adverse effects include headache, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea. 

A 70-year-old man complains of small, hard stools for the past 2 weeks. He also states that his bowel movements are less frequent than normal and that he has not had constipation previously. He has a history of hypertension, angina pectoris, and osteoarthritis and began a new medication 3 weeks ago. He asks for your recommendation of a laxative. 

Symptoms can typically be categorized as either diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) or constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C). Patients with IBS-D usually report more than three loose or watery stools daily. Those with IBS-C usually have fewer than three bowel movements per week stools are typically hard and lumpy and accompanied by straining. 

Lactulose is the foundation of pharmacologic therapy to prevent and treat hepatic encephalopathy. It is a non-digestible synthetic disaccharide laxative that is hydrolyzed in the gut to an osmotically-active compound that draws water into the colon and stimulates defecation. Lactulose also lowers colonic pH, which favors the conversion of ammonia (NH3) to ammonium (NHf).48 Ammonium is ionic and cannot cross back into systemic circulation it is eliminated in the feces. Lactulose is usually initiated at 15 to 30 mL two to three times per day and titrated to a therapeutic goal of two to four soft bowel movements daily.20 49 50... 

In patients taking lactulose therapy, titrate the dose to two to four soft bowel movements daily. 

Profuse, watery diarrhea with 5 to 15 bowel movements per day, abdominal pain, abdominal distention, nausea, and anorexia... 

In the hospital, he receives fluids and metronidazole 500 mg every 8 hours intravenously. Stool was sent for C. difficile toxin assay, which came back positive. The patient continues to have abdominal pain but no bowel movement. On day 3 of hospitalization, his abdomen is distended with diffuse pain. His white blood cell count remains elevated. A CT scan of the abdomen showed colonic dilatation to greater than 6 cm. The patient became febrile and hypotensive, requiring multiple pharmacologic support for hypotension. 

The effect of orlistat in adolescent patients has been evaluated recently. In a group of 12- to 16-year-old individuals, orlistat (120 mg three times daily) in combination with diet, exercise, and behavior modification exhibited minimal weight increase after 1 year (0.53 kg) compared with placebo-treated patients (3.14 kg). Common adverse reactions observed were fatty or oily stools, oily spotting, oily evacuation, or abdominal pain and/or flatulence with bowel movements. Soft stools, nausea, increased defecation, and fecal incontinence also were noted. Orlistat may be better suited for prevention of weight gain in tolerant adolescents, but more studies are warranted before providing a solid recommendation.36... 

ALP Alkaline phosphatase BM Bone marrow, bowel movement an isoenzyme of... 

Hirschsprung s disease A disease of the small intestine that causes constipation (bowel movements are difficult). 

Tenesmus Straining, especially painful, or ineffectual straining with a bowel movement or straining on defecation. 

Valsalva maneuver A vagal maneuver in which the patient bears down against a closed glottis, as if having a bowel movement. 

Intestinal surface area and total blood flow to the GIT are smaller than in adults and may influence the efficiency of absorption. With regard to the use of rectal suppositories, one must keep in mind that the completeness of absorption will be a function of retention time in the rectum. Since bowel movements in... 

Not being able stop a bowel movement from happening... 

Abuse of laxatives can lead to a number of health problems, including imbalances in the levels of minerals (electrolytes) in the body, which can lead to dehydration, tremors, weakness, blurry vision, and kidney damage. Laxatives can also change the way nerve endings in the colon work, which can cause the laxative abuser to need more laxatives to have a bowel movement. Other problems with the digestive system that can result from laxative abuse include an increased risk of colon infection (resulting from a loss of the protective cover that lines the colon), rectal pain, gas, and severe constipation. Finally, laxative abuse may lead to both cancerous and noncancerous tumors in the bowel. 

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