Fecal Impaction?

emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B · May 17, 2016

Depends where you work. Docs do it in my er.

NightNerd, MSN, RN · May 17, 2016

I mean, it's not my favorite thing, but a nasty set of feet still gets to me more than disimpacting a patient. I've done it maybe twice in a year and a half, with a few more rectal checks that revealed empty vaults. Depending on what area you work in, I wouldn't think this would be an everyday occurrence. It helps to be proactive with making sure your patients go on the regular.

NutmeggeRN, BSN · May 17, 2016

A new grad RN told me that if I don't mind going into the profession knowing that they can deal with poop on daily basis then nursing is for me. She even told me before I try to go any further and get into nursing school that I should look up fecal impaction. Well I looked it up and It took me a lot of will power not to click out of the site.
Did any nurse on Allnurses had to do a fecal impaction? How did you feel about it? On the site (if I'm not mistaken) says a healthcare provider may need to massage the rectum with their hand?

Well, you don't DO a fecal impaction. You disimpact a fecal blockage from a patient. With lots of gloves and adequate lubrication. Not pleasant for the nurse, but very relieving for the patient.

Julius Seizure · May 17, 2016

I've had to disimpact a patient. He was 16 years old and developmentally appropriate for his age.

Believe me when I say that it was a worse experience for him than for me.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · May 17, 2016

Did it for Spinal Cord patients without issue; look up autonomic dysreflexia, and think : would I WANT to contribute to a pt complication or would want to be left in that condition? (Hint: :no: )

BeachsideRN, ASN · May 17, 2016

It's not pleasant, but there are a lot of unpleasant things in nursing. And as "icky" as it is for you as the nurse it's painful and can be very embarrassing/humiliating for the patient.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · May 17, 2016

Have done it once in my whole career. Not pleasant, but certainly not worse than the time a new trach patient hocked up a nasty phlegm ball that shot across the bed and hit me in the mouth.:***:

roser13, ASN, RN · May 17, 2016

How did I feel about it?

Well, it was a nursing duty that I could provide to my patient to alleviate a whole bunch of issues, including pain.

There are no bodily fluids/solids that a nurse does not deal with. Focusing on the potential ick factor is really not a balanced or mature way to view a nursing career. It's not as if anyone goes into nursing because they're fascinated by poo or mucous (ok, well, I'm sure there's some fetishist out there, but that's another thread). Folks go into nursing for various reasons despite some of the job requirements.

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · May 17, 2016

Actually.. it is a fecal DISimpaction. The procedure is quick and painless for all involved.

You will have many more procedures you may find difficult to perform. Don't let this one stop you.

Nurse Leigh · May 17, 2016

Lots of nursing interventions can seem "gross" to some people, including some nurses. And yet, a lot of nurses find a sense of accomplishment after performing these tasks as it can really make the patient feel so much better. It can certainly be embarrassing for the patient but if done in a straightforward and professional manner, it can also bring great relief.