The nurse is caring for a patient who reports feeling constipated, yet passes frequent small liquid stools. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
a. Explain that liquid stools indicate diarrhea.
b. Administer an antidiarrheal medication.
c. Check the patient for a fecal impaction.
d. Check the abdomen for rebound tenderness.
ANS: C
Fecal impaction results when the fecal mass is so dry it cannot be passed. Small amounts of liquid stool ooze around the fecal mass and cause incontinence of liquid stools. If the incontinence is treated with an antidiarrheal medication, it will worsen the constipation.
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