Gastrointestinal Function Case Study Questions
Gastrointestinal Function Case Study Questions
- Gastrointestinal Function: Case Study Questions
In your own words define constipation and name the risk factors that might lead to developing constipation. List recommendations you would give to a patient who is suffering from constipation. You might use a previous experience you might have.
Constipation can be defined as the situation where an individual experiences less frequent bowel movements and difficulties in passing stools. Several factors have been associated with the cause of constipation ranging from exercises, diet, and use of medication. Some of the most common risk factors for constipation include lifestyle concerns that affect an individual’s bowel habits such as eating solid food with no fibers, inadequate water intake, travel, ignoring the urge to use the bathroom, and inadequate stress management (Benjamin, &Drobatz, 2020). Medications such as antacids containing aluminum or calcium, antidepressants, antispasmodics, diuretics, antihistamines, and narcotic pain medications have been associated with increased risks of constipation. Other risk factors include health conditions such as diabetes, structural conditions such as anal fissure, pelvic floor dysfunction, neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, cancer, advanced age, and family history among others.
Several approaches are utilized in the management of patients suffering from constipation. For starters, I would recommend the removal of the impacted faeces with stool softeners such as Docusate, enemas, and short-acting laxatives. I would then initiate dietary changes to about 30g daily fiber intake in addition or taking lots of water (Benjamin, &Drobatz, 2020). Alternatively, the patient can take fiber supplements such as Metamucil, and engage in 30 minutes of daily exercise. If constipation is associated with an underlying condition, then it is necessary to treat the underlying disorder. The use of laxatives such as MiraLAX will be necessary for complete emptying.
Based on the clinical manifestations of R.H.’s case study, name and explain signs and symptoms presented that are compatible with the constipation diagnosis. Complement your list with signs and symptoms not present in the case study.
For the diagnosis of constipation, an individual must present with the following four symptoms, such as having fewer than three bowel movements in a week, straining to initiate or complete defecation, consistency of a hard stool, and the feeling of incomplete emptying (Thakare, 2020). The patient in the provided case study presented with symptoms of constipation and bloating for about a month. She presented with one bowel movement for an entire week, with straining feelingsthat lasted for up to 10 minutes before initiating or completing a bowel movement. She also confirmed that her stool was extremely hard. Consequently, the patient complained of incidences of heartburn about three to four times every week. Looking at the causative aspects that might have contributed to the patient’s constipation, to confirm the diagnosis, she has been involved in limited exercise and physical activity, in addition to taking naproxen with can also result in constipation (Thakare, 2020). Other signs and symptoms of constipation not presented by the patient include the feeling that one has not completely emptied his or her rectum, and the need for help such as using your hands to empty your rectum.
Sometimes as an associate diagnosis and a complication, patients with constipation could have anemia. Would you consider that possibility based on the information provided in the case study?
The human body normally requires vitamin B12 to synthesize red blood cells just like the way it needs iron. Consequently,the symptoms of all other types of anemia, most commonly vitamin B12 deficiency anemia can lead to symptoms of constipation or diarrhea. Consequently, the patient in the provided case study presented with worsening arthritis, whose most common complication is anemia (Auerbach, & Schrier, 2017). The patient’s advanced age also predisposes her to high risks of developing anemia. As such, the patient’s constipation symptoms may also be associated with anemia diagnosis.
