POOP! What do I put on my nursing notes for poop?

Nursing Students Student Assist

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Hi guys!!! I'm starting my second semester on the Med/Surg floor and I have a question for you all about POOP!

When doing my nursing notes, what are all the different ways I can describe somebody's poop? I know this sounds silly, but I always get stumped what to put on my nursing notes!

As far as things to document.... color, consistency, and amount. So far I have (Solid and formed) for consistency.

Just don't want to write something silly! What do other nurse's put down?

Thanks so much!!

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Specializes in ICU, ER.

Large, moderate, small

Black, brown, green, etc

Constipated, watery, loose, soft, pasty, semi-formed, formed, etc

Foul-smelling

As in "Pt was incontinent of large amount of foul-smelling, green, watery BM" or "pt had small, constipated BM."

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Your nursing text might have the Bristol Stool Chart (mine does). You can find it and more of the scoop on poop at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_feces

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Specializes in ICU, ER.
Your nursing text might have the Bristol Stool Chart (mine does). You can find it and more of the scoop on poop at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_feces

I learned about the Bristol Chart in school, but I have never seen it actually used in the real world...

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You know you're overcharting when...

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Don't forget poop history. It never hurts to ask if that is normal for them, if they had to strain alot, how often they normally have a bowel movement.

Discussing poop becomes alot easier. Try it out on people that you know and are comfortable with. I asked my sister to discuss her poop with me because she had her gallbladder taken out so the poop is different.

If you seem uncomfortable with asking things, it will make the patient feel uncomfortable also.

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Specializes in ICU, ER.
anonymurse said:
You know you're overcharting when...

Unless the pt is admitted for something bowel-related/post-op bowel.

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Most importantly you need you document if they are continent or incontinent, and your plan of care. If their BM's are normal and you wanna make a quick bowel note, all you need is consistency and amount. Consistency: loose, soft, formed. Amount: large, moderate, small.

Otherwise chart by exception, such as bloody stools, constipation, diarrhea, etc.. (One time I found a couple completely intact and undigested pills in a patients stool!)

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Specializes in LTC,Rehab.

BM was and then describe :lol2:

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LOL! Thanks for all your helpful replies everybody!!! :)

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RescueNinja said:
Unless the pt is admitted for something bowel-related/post-op bowel.

Well in that case, I'm not going to be sitting at my computer, scratching my head, trying to find the correct terminology to describe the stool in agonizing detail while asking everyone passing by if they've seen the aide. I'm gonna be in the room guaiacing or cleaning the pt or some other useful thing.

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Specializes in hospice, pediatrics.

I prefer nutty and corny to describe poop. :D

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