Which of the following complaints by the 80-year-old resident would indicate a need for the nurse to complete a focused bowel assessment on the resident?
a. The inability to have a bowel movement every day
b. Feeling pressure and fullness in the rectum but is unable to defecate
c. Having had one loose stool after breakfast
d. Ingestion and flatulence
ANS: B
Feelings of pressure and fullness without being able to defecate may indicate a fecal impaction or rectal cancer. One loose stool does not represent diarrhea. Indigestion and flatulence are common in the older adult.
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