Nursing Theory - Elimination Bowel All Answers Correct

Nursing Theory - Elimination Bowel All Answers Correct Facts about Bowel Elimination -Alterations in bowel elimination may be an early warning symptom of problems in the gastrointestinal tract or other organ systems. -Changes in bowel function are the result of illness, diagnostic testing, the aging process, or surgical interventions. -Students need to be knowledgeable about the structure and function of the gastrointestinal tract in order to provide preventive or supportive nursing care. 4 Primary Functions of the Colon -Absorption: Water, sodium, chloride -Protection: Through release of mucous -Secretion: Bicarbonate for chloride and release of K+ -Elimination: Waste products and gas Process of Bowel Elimination -Defecation: process of elimination of wastes -Feces: semi-solid mass of fiber, undigested food inorganic material etc. -Fecal material reaches rectum -Stretch receptors initiate contraction of sigmoid colon/rectal muscles -Internal anal sphincter relaxes -Sensory impulses cause voluntary "bearing down" -External sphincter relaxes to allow evacuation Common factors affecting normal bowel elimination -Diet