Fecal impaction treatment

[imragland]

Hi,

I am a nursing student that encountered an impacted patient at my clinical site. Just wanted some different ideas about how it could be treated

[loving2024, BSN, RN]

What caused the fecal impaction, was it a persistent fecal impaction or was it acute. what did your focus assessment/ medical record reveal to you, You cant just say my patient has a fecal impaction, you need to assess further. 😴

[amoLucia]

Another homework assignment.

Ho-hum!

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

What have you discovered?

What was the treatment plan of your patient?

[imragland]

Pt hasn't had a bowel movement for 6 days. Was not given stool softener. Given a suppository this morning. Has diminished bowel sounds but no distended abdomen. She does take meds that can cause constipation. She was manually dis impacted and felt some relief

[RN403, BSN, RN]

If she takes meds that can cause constipation perhaps it can be suggested to the physician to administer a stool softner daily to prevent this issue in the future. The could try meds such as MOM, a suppository as you said, and maybe an enema if needed.

[loving2024, BSN, RN]

What kind of medication caused this type of constipation

[imragland]

Ok thanks for the feedback!! Really appreciate it

[amoLucia]

What else does your texts tell you can be done?

[imragland]

A narcotic but we're not sure which one because she isn't one of our regular patients. Our class literally heard her screaming down the hall so just went in to help the best we could

[loving2024, BSN, RN]

The classic adverse effect of opioids are respiratory depression, constipation and urinary retention. Many doctors usually place pt with opioids on a bowel regimen.

[imragland]

I understand that but she wasn't being given anything for constipation which we all found to be odd. Thanks again for your input