Nanda Nursing Diagnosis: Constipation
Definition:
Decrease in normal frequency of defecation accompanied by difficult or incomplete passage of stool and/or passage of excessively hard, dry stool.
Defining Characteristics:
- Dry and hard feaces.
- Difficult passage of feaces.
- May be complete absence of peristaltic movements.
- Headache.
- General body weakness.
- Feeling of pain on stool passage.
- Color of feaces may be darker.
- Mass in the abdomen may be felt.
Related Factors:
- Any injury to spinal cord.
- Low level of liquid intake.
- Long term use of purgatives.
- Increased weight.
- Lack of physical activity.
- Low intake of fibers diet.
- Discomfort of abdominal region.
- Mental status disturbance.
Nursing outcomes:
- Normal peristaltic movements of bowel.
- Stool should be soft and easy to pass.
- Abdominal pain or any discomfort should be treated.
- Absence of pressure during passage of feaces.
Nursing Intervention and rationale:
- Daily liquid intake must be encouraged.
Rationale: Liquid intake makes stool soft and easy to pass from intestine to outside.
- Lifestyle changes such as quitting narcotic drugs.
Rationale: Narcotic drugs cause slow peristalsis.
- Provide complete privacy to patient to pass stool.
Rationale: As lack of closed bathrooms promotes constipation.
- Diet rich in fibers.
Rationale: Fiber diet promotes movement of bowel in intestine.
- Provide enema and purgatives.
Rationale: To promote passage of stools.