A nurse is helping to implement a bowel training program for a patient.
To ensure the effectiveness of the program, when should the nurse take the patient to the bathroom?

Every 2 hours while the patient is awake.

When the patient has the urge to defecate.

Immediately before meals.

After the patient feels abdominal cramping.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A rationale:

Taking the patient to the bathroom every 2 hours while the patient is awake is not the most effective strategy for a bowel training program. This approach does not take into account the natural rhythms of the body and the patient’s personal comfort. It may lead to unnecessary trips to the bathroom, which can be physically and emotionally draining for the patient.

Choice B rationale:

This is the correct answer. A bowel training program aims to help the patient regain control over their bowel movements. Taking the patient to the bathroom when they have the urge to defecate aligns with this goal. It allows the patient to respond to their body’s signals, which can help improve their confidence and independence over time.

Choice C rationale:

Taking the patient to the bathroom immediately before meals is not the most effective strategy for a bowel training program. While it’s true that eating can stimulate bowel movements due to the gastrocolic reflex, this approach does not consider the patient’s comfort or individual needs. It may also disrupt the patient’s enjoyment of their meals.

Choice D rationale:

Waiting until the patient feels abdominal cramping is not the most effective strategy for a bowel training program. Abdominal cramping can be a sign of constipation or other digestive issues. It’s important to address these issues separately and not rely on them as indicators for when to take the patient to the bathroom.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Requesting a prescription for a stool softener from the provider could be a potential solution, but it’s not the first step. Medications should be considered when lifestyle modifications and dietary changes are not effective.

Choice B rationale:

Incorporating more fluids and fiber into the patient’s diet is the most appropriate action. Constipation in older adults can be caused by dehydration and not eating enough. Dietary fiber adds bulk to the diet and is capable of absorbing water, which helps to soften the stool and promote regular bowel movements. Therefore, increasing fluid and fiber intake is often the first step in managing constipation.

Choice C rationale:

Encouraging the patient to engage in active range-of-motion exercises might not directly alleviate constipation. While physical activity is generally beneficial for overall health, increased exercise does not improve symptoms of constipation in nursing home residents or older adults.

Choice D rationale:

Advising the patient to avoid foods that cause gas might help if the patient has bloating or gas, but it won’t necessarily address the issue of constipation. The focus should be on increasing fiber and fluid intake.

A. I do my wheelchair exercises sitting in my chair. B. I use a suppository every night to have a bowel movement. C. I need to catheterize myself twice a day. D. I carry a water bottle with me because I drink a lot of water.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

The statement “I do my wheelchair exercises sitting in my chair” is correct. Wheelchair exercises are designed to be performed while seated in a wheelchair. They help to maintain muscle strength and flexibility, which is crucial for individuals with paralysis.

Choice B rationale:

The statement “I use a suppository every night to have a bowel movement” is also correct. Individuals with paralysis often have difficulty with bowel movements due to lack of muscle control. Using a suppository can stimulate the rectum and induce a bowel movement. Choice C rationale:

The statement “I need to catheterize myself twice a day” indicates a need for further teaching. Individuals with paralysis from the waist down following a spinal cord injury typically need to perform intermittent self-catheterization every 4-6 hours, not just twice a day. This helps to prevent urinary tract infections and bladder overdistension.

Choice D rationale:

The statement “I carry a water bottle with me because I drink a lot of water” is correct. Drinking plenty of water is important for overall health and can help to prevent urinary tract infections, which are common in individuals who self-catheterize.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A nurse is helping to implement a bowel training program for a patient. To ensure the effectiveness of the program, when should the nurse take the patient to the bathroom?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is providing care for an elderly patient who is experiencing constipation. What action should the nurse take?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is reinforcing teaching about elimination with an adolescent who is paralyzed from the waist down following a spinal cord injury. Which statement by the adolescent indicates a need for further teaching?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is evaluating a patient who has respiratory alkalosis. What symptoms should the nurse anticipate?

A nurse is in the process of collecting a urine specimen for culture and sensitivity through straight catheterization. Which step should the nurse take in this procedure?

A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing nausea and vomiting. The nurse should identify that the patient is at risk for which of the following acid-base imbalances?

A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who has a chest tube. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a patient who reports constipation. Which of the following should the nurse discuss as causes of constipation? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is caring for a client who has paraplegia and is on an intermittent urinary catheterization program. Which of the following findings indicates to the nurse the need to catheterize the client?

A nurse is gathering information from a patient who has been experiencing diarrhea for several days. What symptoms should the nurse anticipate?

A nurse is caring for a client who has pneumonia and has been receiving oxygen therapy for several days. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an indication of an adverse effect of oxygen therapy?

A nurse is helping to implement a bowel training program for a patient.
To ensure the effectiveness of the program, when should the nurse take the patient to the bathroom?