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.