Bowel Elimination

Digestive System

• Mouth/Esophagus/Stomach
• Small Intestine
• Lg. Intestine
• Rectum/Anus

Discussed in Nutrition Unit

Mouth/Stomach

Small Intestine

Large Intestine

Constipation

• Blockage of intestine
• Usually of lg. intestine
• Can occur in sm. intestine
• Can be life threatening!

Causes

• Not enough fluids
• Not enough fiber
• Cancer
• Medications
• Other bowel abnormalities
• Holding it too long!

Prevention

• Fluids
• Good nutrition
• Dietary Fiber
• Exercise
• Go when you gotta go!

Healthy Feces

• soft, brown, formed
• s-shaped
• moist, not dry

Loose Stools

• Don't hold shape
• Undigested food
• Often after a hard bm

causes

• IBS
• Colitis
• Crone's Disease
• Polyps
• Cancers
• Gluten Intolerance

Diarrhea

• Liquid
• No Form
• watery
• bloody
• foul smelling
• yellow/foamy

Causes

• Colitis/Crone's
• IBS
• Gluten Intolerance
• Infections (C Diff)
• Parasites

Infection Control

• Standard Precautions
• Skin Care
• Contact Precautions
• Report and Record
• Nutriton/Fluids!

Gas

• Everybody poops!
• What goes in must come out!
• Blame it on someone else!
• Report, medications may help!
• Can be painful!

Ostomies

• elimination through skin
• Appliance
• Colostomy/Ileostomy
• Healthy reddish pink color
• Help Empty through bottom of bag!
• Removing appliance weakens it!

Conclusion

Report and Record

• BM amount, color, consistency
• C/O pain/gas/bloating
• Visible blood/black tarry
• Odor/ yellow foamy stool
• Skin issues

Water Water Everywhere