Constipation diagnosis

During the preadministration assessment, the nurse reviews the patient s chart for the medical diagnosis and reason for administration of the prescribed drug. The nurse questions the patient regarding the type and intensity of symptoms (such as pain, discomfort, diarrhea, or constipation) to provide a baseline for evaluation of the effectiveness of drug therapy. 

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. 

CDC Case Definition An illness caused by S. typhi that is often characterized by insidious onset of sustained fever, headache, malaise, anorexia, relative bradycardia, constipation or diarrhea, and nonproductive cough. However, many mild and atypical infections occur. Carriage of S. typhi may be prolonged. Laboratory criteria for diagnosis is isolation of S. typhi from blood, stool, or other clinical specimen. 

Direct toxic effects of the opioid analgesics that are extensions of their acute pharmacologic actions include respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, and constipation (Table 31-4). In addition, tolerance and dependence, diagnosis and treatment of overdosage, and contraindications must be considered. 

An 80-year-old woman taking lithium developed constipation, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain after starting to take amfebutamone. A diagnosis of acute paralytic ileus was made and attributed to amfebutamone, although an amfebutamone-lithium interaction could not be excluded (355). 

A good herbalist treats people, not diseases. Ten patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis would get ten different protocols based on their unique constitutions and symptom pictures. Some parts of the treatments may overlap, but Chris Smith, who is 72 years old, chronically constipated, has impaired circulation, and suffers from insomnia in addition to rheumatoid arthritis, presents a very different picture than does Angela Jones, who is 32 years old, has terrible premenstrual and menstrual problems, hyperchlorhydria (excess stomach acid), and migraine headaches as well as rheumatoid arthritis. A well-done herbal protocol will use differential diagnosis and energetics to create a specific treatment for each person. 

Dicyclomine hydrochloride behaves both as an antimuscarinic and a nonspecific antispasmodic agent. It is frequently employed in the treatment of irritable colon, spastic colitis, mucous colitis, spastic constipation and biliary dyskinesia. It also finds its use in the diagnosis of peptic ulcer by delaying gastric emptying process. 

Clinical Features Several symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism may be mistaken with those presented by a euthyroid pregnant woman (asthenia, weight increase, drowsiness, constipation, etc.), although others may make the diagnosis doubtful (bradycardia, sensitivity to cold, dry skin) (Abalovich et al., 2006). In contrast, 70-80% of women with OH, and almost all SGH carriers, may remain asymptomatic. Thus, particular attention... 

Mellor MFA, Drake DG (1994) Colonic volvulus in children value of barium enema for diagnosis and treatment in 14 children. AJR Am J Roentgenol 162 1157-1159 Mezwa DG, Feczko PJ, Bosanko C (1993) Radiologic evaluation of constipation and anorectal disorders. Radiol Clin North Am 31 1375-1393... 

The clinical diagnosis and assessment of acute colonic diverticulitis can be difficult (Chappuis and Cohn 1988). The classic pattern of left lower quadrant pain, tenderness, fever, and leukocytosis is suggestive of acute colonic diverticulitis but can be mimicked by numerous acute abdominal conditions. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhoea lead to a high rate of wrong diagnosis up to 34% of cases. 

---