Defining Characteristics: Change in bowel pattern; bright red blood with stool; presence of soft paste-like stool in rectum; distended abdomen; dark, black, or tarry stool; increased abdominal pressure; percussed abdominal dullness; pain with defecation; decreased volume of stool; straining with defecation; decreased frequency; dry, hard, formed stool; palpable rectal mass; feeling of rectal fullness or pressure; abdominal pain; unable to pass stool; anorexia; headache; change in abdominal growing (borborygmi); indigestion; atypical presentation in older adults (e.g., change in mental status, urinary incontinence, unexplained falls, elevated body temperature); severe flatus; generalized fatigue; hypoactive or hyperactive bowel sounds; palpable abdominal mass; abdominal tenderness with or without palpable muscle resistance; nausea and/or vomiting; oozing liquid stool.
Related To:
- Malnutrition
- Metabolic and endocrine disorders
- Sensory/motor disorders
- Stress
- Immobility
- Inadequate diet
- Irregular evacuation pattern
As evidenced by
Major: Hard formed stool and/or defecation occurs fewer than three times per week.
Minor:
Minor:
- Decreased bowel sounds.
- Reported feeling of rectal fullness or pressure around rectum.
- Straining and pain on defecation.
- Palpable impaction.
Outcome
The patient will:
- Have soft formed stool.
- Patient and/or significant other will verbalize an understanding of method for preventing and/or treating constipation.
Nursing Interventions for Constipation
- Assess abdomen for distention, bowel sounds.
- Assess bowel elimination.
- Asses factors responsible for constipation :
- stress
- discomfort
- sedentary lifestyle
- laxative abuse
- debilitation
- lack of time/privacy
- drug side effect
- Promote corrective measures :
- review daily routine
- provide privacy/time
- provide comfort
- encourage adequate exercise
