Constipation Definition
Abnormal frequency
Abnormal regularity
Abnormal hardening
Constipation causes
Medication
Pre existing conditions
Obstruction
Acute disease
Risk factors for constipation
Poor lifestyle (diet, sedentary, fluid, stress)
Immobility
Weakness
Constipation pathophysiology
interferes with 3 major functions of colon:
- mucosal transport
- Myoelectric activity
- Process of defection
Constipation clinical manifestations
- distention
- pain
- decreases appetite
- headache
- straining
- hard dry stools
Assessment and diagnostic findings of constipation
- pt hx
- pt assessment
- x-ray
- PR exam
Constipation complications
- hypertension
- Haemorrhoids
- Fissures
- Seepage
Nursing management of constipation
- Health hx
- Medical hx
- Medication (laxatives, pain relief)
- Pt education
- Health promotion
Laxative classifications (6)
- Bulk forming
- Saline agent
- Lubricant
- Stimulant
- Faecal softener
- Osmotic agent
Diarrhoea definition
- increased frequency (+3 per day)
- Increased stool amount (+200g day)
- Altered consistency
Diarrhoea causes
- disease (IBS)
- Infection
- Medication
- Obstruction
Diarrhoea pathophysiology
- secretary
- osmotic
- malabsorptive
- exudative
Diarrhoea clinical manifestation
- increased frequency
- cramps
- rumbling
- distention
- thirst
- loss of apetite
Diarrhoea assessment and diagnostic findings
- blood test
- Urinalysis
- stool culture
Diarrhoea complications
- fluid and electrolyte loss
- cardiac arrhythmias
- dehydration
- skin issues
Diarrhoea nursing management
- assess
- monitor (stool chart, FBC)
- Infection precaution
- Rehydration
- Nutrition
- Medication
Nausea and vomiting definition
N: sensation of needing to vomit, but not always doing so
V: Voluntarily or involuntarily emptying stomach contents through mouth
Nausea and vomiting causes
- motion sickness
- pregnancy
- pain
- emotional stress
- food poisoning
- viruses
Nausea and vomiting causes pathophysiology
- visceral afferent stimulation
- CNS disorders
- Irritation of chemoreceptor trigger zone
Nausea and vomiting causes assessment
- health hx
- examination
- neuro ax
- blood test
- X-ray
Nausea and vomiting causes complications
- fluid and electrolyte loss
- cardiac arrythmia
- dehydration
- pneumonia
- hypovolaemic shock
Nausea and vomiting causes nursing management
- assess & monitor (airway, pain, FBC, LOC, hydration)
- infection precaution
- rehydration
- nutrition
- medication (anti-emetics)
