Risk for constipation related to impaired gastric motility is added to the nursing care plan of a client with a spinal cord injury (SCI). The nurse identifies appropriate nursing interventions as: Select all that apply

Question

1. Administer stool softener as prescribed.
2. Institute mechanical stimulation to initiate bowel evacuation.
3. Encourage diet that includes high-fiber foods daily.
4. Encourage fluid intake of 8 to 10 cups daily.
5. Check each stool for occult blood.

Answer 1

1. Administer stool softener as prescribed.
2. Institute mechanical stimulation to initiate bowel evacuation.
3. Encourage diet that includes high-fiber foods daily.
4. Encourage fluid intake of 8 to 10 cups daily.

Rationale: Administer stool softener as prescribed. To minimize the risk of constipation in clients with SCI, the nurse should institute a bowel regimen of stool softener to help establish a regular bowel elimination pattern. Institute mechanical stimulation to initiate bowel evacuation. To minimize the risk of constipation in clients with SCI, the nurse should institute a bowel regimen of chemical stimulation such as a suppository to establish a regular bowel elimination pattern. The patient's bowel elimination pattern should be monitored closely to ensure adequate bowel evacuation. Encourage diet that includes high-fiber foods daily. Dietary recommendations to aid in bowel evacuation include ensuring a minimum of 15 grams of dietary fiber per day. Encourage fluid intake of 8 to 10 cups daily. Dietary recommendations to aid in bowel evacuation include adequate fluid intake. Check each stool for occult blood. Testing stool for occult blood is directed toward monitoring for a bleeding gastric ulcer.