NRSG 2212 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Defecation, Abdominal Pain, Peristalsis
Document Summary
May not be able to move feces. No passage of stool for several days. High intake of fiber without fluids also increase the risk: laxative, promotes bowel evacuation by increasing bulk, softens stools, stimulates and lubricates intestinal wall, hemorrhoids, dilated, engorged veins in the lining of the rectum. Latency of actions is 1-2 days and up to 3 days. Ex. , lactulose 15-30 ml daily to tid; peg. 3350 17g daily to 75g daily (may be given in divided doses: stool softeners (emollient laxatives) increase the wetting efficiency of intestinal fluid and facilitate the mixing of aqueous and fatty substances that soften feces. They do not stimulate peristalsis and therefore can be utilized in a subacute bowel obstruction. Ex. , docusate sodium (colace) 100-200 mg or docusate calcium 240- 480 mg bid to start, and then increase to tid or qid: peristaltic stimulants help to induce peristalsis. Stimulants can increase the severity of colic with a bowel obstruction.
