The nurse implements the teaching plan for a client with chronic constipation. Which client assessment helps the nurse determine that the plan is effective? The client:

Question

1. Passes a small liquid stool daily
2. Has a firm stool every fourth day
3. Reports frequency of abdominal cramping
4. Describes methods to prevent constipation

Answer 1

4
4. If the client can describe three prevention strategies for constipation, the teaching plan is effective because the client provides details and explanations of prevention strategies in the descriptions based on client teaching by the nurse.
1. Clients can have a fecal impaction and have small liquid stools; thus, the nurse de-termines the plan is ineffective because the client continues to have problems consis-tent with constipation.
2. The client who has a firm stool every fourth day and who has abdominal cramping has clinical indicators consistent with chronic constipation. If the client retained knowledge from teaching, the client is not applying the knowledge, so the nurse reassesses the client and implements interventions to facilitate client application of knowledge.