CONSTIPATION

Assessment
S Sumasakit
siya pag
dumudumi ako.
Parang may
pressure sa hita
ko. as
verbalized by the
patient.

O The patient
showed the ff.
manifestations:
> immobility
> weak in
appearance
> inability to
perform toileting
task
independently.
> CBR
> with external
fixators on right
leg and arm

Nursing
Diagnosis
Constipation
related to
immobility and
inability to
perform toileting
task
independently.

Background
Knowledge
Constipation is a
very common
condition that
affects people of
all ages. When
you are
constipated, you
feel that you are
not passing
stools (feces) as
often as you
normally do, or
that you have to
strain more than
usual, or that you
are unable to
completely
empty your
bowels.
Constipation can
also cause your
stools to be
unusually hard,
lumpy, large or
small. The
severity of
constipation can
vary greatly.
Many people
only experience

Planning
STP:
After 5 hours of
nursing
intervention, the
client will
verbalize feeling
of relief when
defecating.

Intervention
Independent:
> Determine
stool color,
consistency,
frequency and
amount.

> Auscultate
bowel sounds

LTP:
After 1 week of
nursing
intervention, the
client will
establish or
return to normal
patterns of bowel
functioning.

> Encourage
increase fluid
intake of 25003000 ml/day
within cardiac
tolerance.

> Recommend
avoiding gasforming foods
such as nuts,
peas and spicy
foods.

Rationale
> Assist in
identifying
causative or
contributing
factors and
appropriate
interventions.

Expected
Outcome
STP:
Goal met.
After 5 hours of
nursing
intervention, the
client verbalized
feeling of relief
when defecating.

> Bowel sounds

are generally
decreased in
constipation
>Sufficient fluid
intake is
necessary for the
bowel to absorb
sufficient
amounts of liquid
to promote
proper stool
consistency.
> Decrease
gastric distress
and abdominal
distension.

LTP:
Goal met.
After 1 week of
nursing
intervention, the
client established
and/or returned
to normal
patterns of bowel
functioning.

constipation for a
short period of
time with no
lasting effects on
their health. For
others,
constipation can
be a chronic
(long-term)
condition which
causes
significant pain
and discomfort.
Chronic
constipation can
lead to
complications,
such as fecal
impaction (where
dry, hard, stool
collect in your
rectum) or fecal
incontinence.

> Instruct client

on a high-fiber
diet as
appropriate

Dependent:
> Discuss use of
stool softeners,
mild stimulants,
bulk forming
laxatives or
enemas as
indicated.
Monitor
effectiveness.

> Fiber absorbs

water which adds
bulk and
softness to the
stool and speeds
up passage
through the
intestines.

> Facilitates
defecation when
constipation is
present.