A client has a bowel movement of hard, dry, but formed stool. The nurs

A client has a bowel movement of hard, dry, but formed stool. The nurse associates these characteristics with

1. bowel incontinence.
2. constipation.
3. diarrhea.
4. fecal impaction.

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Bowel incontinence is the loss of voluntary ability to control feces.
Rationale 2: Hard, dry, formed stool is characteristic of constipation.
Rationale 3: Diarrhea is the passage of liquid feces.
Rationale 4: Fecal impaction is a mass of hardened feces in the folds of the rectum.