The nurse is caring for a patient who has been unable to have a bowel movement for the last 4 days after taking prescribed narcotic pain medication. Which nursing diagnosis is appropriate for this patient?

Choice A reason: This is an incorrect choice because perceived constipation related to expectation of daily bowel movements is not an appropriate nursing diagnosis for this patient. Perceived constipation is a subjective problem that occurs when the patient's bowel elimination pattern does not meet their personal expectations. The patient may not have any objective signs of constipation, such as hard stools, straining, or abdominal discomfort. This diagnosis is not applicable to this patient, who has objective signs of constipation and a clear cause of the problem.

Choice B reason: This is an incorrect choice because impaired bowel elimination related to abdominal muscle weakness is not an appropriate nursing diagnosis for this patient. Impaired bowel elimination is a problem that occurs when the patient has difficulty in passing stools or has a change in bowel habits. Abdominal muscle weakness is a possible factor that can affect bowel function, but it is not the cause of the problem for this patient. This diagnosis is not applicable to this patient, who has a normal muscle strength and a clear cause of the problem.

Choice C reason: This is an incorrect choice because risk for constipation related to irregular defecation habits is not an appropriate nursing diagnosis for this patient. Risk for constipation is a potential problem that occurs when the patient is vulnerable to developing constipation due to various factors. Irregular defecation habits are a possible factor that can increase the risk of constipation, but they are not the cause of the problem for this patient. This diagnosis is not applicable to this patient, who already has constipation and a clear cause of the problem.

Choice D reason: This is the correct choice because constipation related to side effects of pain medication is an appropriate nursing diagnosis for this patient. Constipation is a problem that occurs when the patient has infrequent, difficult, or incomplete bowel movements. Pain medication, especially opioids, are a common cause of constipation, as they can slow down the gastrointestinal motility and reduce the stool volume and water content. This diagnosis is applicable to this patient, who has objective signs of constipation and a clear cause of the problem..

Choice A reason: This is an incorrect choice because sleep-wake pattern is not the most important assessment to determine if a patient is receiving sufficient sleep. Sleep-wake pattern is the cycle of sleeping and waking that follows a circadian rhythm. However, it is not a reliable indicator of sleep quality or quantity, as different people may have different sleep-wake patterns that suit their needs and preferences.

Choice B reason: This is an incorrect choice because hours of sleep each night is not the most important assessment to determine if a patient is receiving sufficient sleep. Hours of sleep each night is the duration of sleep that a person gets in a 24-hour period. However, it is not a reliable indicator of sleep quality or quantity, as different people may have different sleep needs and requirements that vary according to age, lifestyle, health, and other factors.

Choice C reason: This is the correct choice because whether the patient feels rested is the most important assessment to determine if a patient is receiving sufficient sleep. Feeling rested is the subjective perception of the patient about their sleep quality and quantity. It is a reliable indicator of sleep sufficiency, as it reflects the patient's satisfaction and well-being after sleeping.

Choice D reason: This is an incorrect choice because frequency of nocturia is not the most important assessment to determine if a patient is receiving sufficient sleep. Frequency of nocturia is the number of times that a person has to urinate at night. However, it is not a reliable indicator of sleep quality or quantity, as it may be influenced by other factors such as fluid intake, medication, or medical conditions.