A hospitalized client tells the nurse of the inability to have a bowel

A hospitalized client tells the nurse of the inability to have a bowel movement because “too many people are around.” What should the nurse do to promote normal fecal elimination for this client?

1. Provide a laxative.
2. Assist the client to the bathroom to ensure privacy.
3. Restrict fluids.
4. Assist the client with ambulation.

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Providing a laxative does not address the issue that there are “too many people around” for the client to feel comfortable with bowel evacuation.
Rationale 2: Privacy during defecation is extremely important to many people. The nurse should therefore provide as much privacy as possible for such clients, but might need to stay with those who are too weak to be left alone.
Rationale 3: Restricting fluids would encourage constipation.
Rationale 4: Assisting the client with ambulation does not address the issue of too many people being around for the client to feel comfortable with defecation.