Nursing care plan for altered bowel elimination

Introduction to Nursing Care Plan for Altered Bowel Elimination

A nursing care plan for an individual with altered bowel elimination is necessary to assess and identify the users' values, needs and problems. A systematic evaluation of the health records and physical examination and some specific related tests are important to include in nursing care plan. This care plan will help to modify the nursing assessment and health care plan of the affected individual.

Assessment

Examination of medical history, details about the existing and/or past health problem and changes within current lifestyle and environment – such as history of drugs ingested and diet Records - is useful to evaluate capability of one’s body for effective bowel elimination.

It is also essential to evaluate health complications or diseases that can have an impact on the bowel elimination process, such as diabetes and colorectal cancer. Evaluation of swallowing function is also necessary to ensure that there is no mismanagement in food or liquid intake that can create problems in bowel elimination.

Nursing Diagnosis

Impaired elimination is the most common consequence of altered bowel elimination which is caused due to disrupted functioning of organs involved in the bowel elimination process.

Various factors – such as physical disabilities and illness – can cause this condition. Nervous system disorders, like Parkison’s disease, are often the cause of this issue.

Outcomes

The ultimate goal of creating a nursing care plan for altered bowel elimination is to enhance the process of abstinence and improve the regulation of normal biological functions.

The individual should have an improved regular schedule of bowel activity and must be able to monitor his/her own progress in order to keep a track of improvements they have achieved.

Interventions

Nutritional assessment is mandatory to determine appropriate diet to aid the altered bowel elimination. To increase veggie consumption, moist vegetables can be included in the diet. Fiber-rich diet should be encouraged in order to improve normal bowel motions.

Fluids, such as water, are important to maintain hydration level and must be ensured throughout. Also, if needed, laxatives can be administered to reduce constipation.

Rationales

Carrying out above mentioned interventions helps to reduce stress and maintain healthy cholesterol & fats levels. It will enhance the ability of body for evacuation and improve the ability for preplanned schedules. Keeping controlled frequencies of elimination will enhance the clarity and maintain consistency in motions.

Evaluation

Evaluation of implementation progress is important to measure the outcomes and maintain the effectiveness. Changes related to physical or psychological circumstances can be monitored and appropriate modification can be made in the nursing plan accordingly.

Conclusion

Altered bowel elimination is one of the most common health issues caused due to lifestyle or dietary changes, drugs and illness. Creating an effective nursing care plan can help to maintain regularity of natural evacuation process and make the body ready for active participation.

FAQs

• What is Nursing Care Plan? – A nursing care plan is developed to provide necessary guidelines for health care professionals to assess and identify individual’s needs, values and problems.
• What is Impaired Elimination? – Impaired elimination is the most common consequence of altered bowel elimination which is caused due to disrupted functioning of organs involved in the bowel elimination process.
• What are the interventions used? – Nutritional assessment is mandated to determine appropriate diet, fluids intake is essential to maintain hydration level and laxatives can be administered to reduce the constipation.
• How to evaluate implementation progress? – The progress of implementation can be monitored and appropriate modifications can be made in the nursing plan according to changes related to physical or psychological circumstances.
• What is the ultimate goal of creating nursing care plan? – The ultimate goal of creating a nursing care plan for altered bowel elimination is to enhance the process of abstinence and improve the regulation of normal biological functions.