Learning Activities

The nurse is performing a daily assessment on a patient who had hip surgery a few days ago. The patient reports she has not had a bowel movement since prior to admission three days ago. The nurse forms a hypothesis that the patient is constipated.

1. What subjective data should the nurse plan to obtain during the assessment to investigate “cues” regarding the potential hypothesis of constipation?

1. Nausea
2. Vomiting
3. Lactose intolerance
4. Bloating

2. What objective data should the nurse plan to obtain during the assessment to investigate “cues” regarding the potential hypothesis of constipation?

1. Bowel sounds
2. Skin integrity
3. Abdominal pulsations
4. Bladder distention

3. The nurse discovers the following findings during the assessment. Which should be reported to the provider?

1. The patient’s abdomen appears flat and symmetric.
2. There are hypoactive bowel sounds in all quadrants.
3. Firmness is palpated in left lower quadrant.
4. There is a scar from a previous appendectomy.

4. The nurse calls the provider and reports the assessment findings supporting the hypothesis of constipation. A new order for Milk of Magnesia 30 mL PO is obtained and the medication is administered. A few hours later, the patient has a large bowel movement. Write a focused DAR or SOAP note documenting the patient’s constipation status.