Nurse's Pocket Guide

IMPLEMENTATION/EVALUATION
• Client’s responses to interventions/teaching and actions performed.
• Changes in bowel pattern, character of stool.
• Attainment/progress toward desired outcome(s).
• Modifications to plan of care.
Discharge Planning
• Referral for follow-up care.
SAMPLE NURSING OUTCOMES & INTERVENTIONS
CLASSIFICATIONS (NOC/NIC)
NOC—Health Beliefs
NIC—Bowel Management
risk for Constipation
Taxonomy II: Elimination—Class 2 Gastrointestinal
System (00015)
[Diagnostic Division: Elimination]
Nursing Diagnosis Extension and Classification (NDEC)
Submission 1998
Definition: At risk for a decrease in normal frequency
of defecation accompanied by difficult or incomplete
passage of stool and/or passage of excessively hard,
dry stool
Risk Factors
FUNCTIONAL
Irregular defecation habits; inadequate toileting (e.g., timeliness,
positioning for defecation, privacy)
Insufficient physical activity; abdominal muscle weakness
Recent environmental changes
Habitual denial/ignoring of urge to defecate
PSYCHOLOGICAL
Emotional stress; depression; mental confusion
PHYSIOLOGICAL
Change in usual foods/eating patterns; insufficient fiber/fluid
intake, dehydration; poor eating habits
Information in brackets added by the authors to clarify and enhance
the use of nursing diagnoses.
Diagnostic Studies Pediatric/Geriatric/Lifespan Medications 201
risk for CONSTIPATION