Should small ones count? (BMs, that is)

[GLORIAmunchkin72]

At our place 2 days without bm is automatic prune juice even if they had 2 small ones in a row.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Man, I would be sick and tired of prune juice if I lived at your place! What about those who only have a couple BMs per week under normal circumstances?

(someone remind me to jump off a cliff before I ever end up in a LTC facility!)

I'm in! Can we do the Thelma and Louise thing together?

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Only in a nursing forum can stool be so actively debated !

I think your facility needs to individualize the bowel programs.

There are many evidence -based programs that could be utilized. Throwing prune juice around with subjective documentation is dangerous and ineffective.

I am speaking from someone that lost her father to a chronic constipation issue (LOOONG story, watch out... thread may follow:)

[minnymi]

i vote yes.

i think it should be described if it's less than "normal," but any stool shows that there's some activity.

i would rather drink miralax than prune juice any day!

[brillohead, ADN, RN]

I'm in! Can we do the Thelma and Louise thing together?

I've even got the red hair....

[NurseCard, ADN]

They don't where I work; if a resident has only had 2-3 "small" BM's

in 3 days, they are still placed on the bowel list.

[sharpeimom]

when i'm that old, just make a note in my chart that a glass of milk or some pudding will do exactly

the same thing to (for?) me as the dreaded prune juice and taste a heck of a lot better.

prune juice? bleech!

[wooh, BSN, RN]

Prune juice will be considered elder abuse if ever given to me. Need me to poop? Bring me some Taco Bell.

[GLORIAmunchkin72]

Thanks everyone for your input! We never force prune juice on anyone; we merely offer:)

[CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN]

I think in most cases you need to look at bowel patterns. If that person puts out a small one every day and doesn't eat much, then that is okay.

[brillohead, ADN, RN]

Prune juice will be considered elder abuse if ever given to me. Need me to poop? Bring me some Taco Bell.

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

Our electronic charting system lets us specify the type of bowel movement (size, shape, color, etc). After 48 hours without the charting of ANY BM, we are prompted to complete the constipation protocol assessment.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

BTW, OP, the title of this thread makes me laugh every time I run across it :)