Bowel Elimination

Start with the main concepts

Bowel Elimination is a section of the Elimination unit in Nursing. The resources here approach the topic through digestion, assessment, terminology and bowel problems. They were made by GoConqr users, so you can explore different ways of organizing the material.

For an overview, start with the mind map on gastrointestinal organs in digestion and elimination. It describes food being chewed and broken down, and includes peristalsis. Then use the Bowel Elimination mind map to see how factors and problems sit alongside assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation.

Build your vocabulary

The key terms note includes definitions for the anus and bowel incontinence, as well as a bowel-training program. The Bowel elimination flashcards cover terms and topics such as constipation, impaction, incontinence and diarrhea. The Bowel elimination terms deck also includes material on bearing down.

Use the note to read a definition, then turn to the flashcards to check how well you recall the terms. Return to the mind map when you want to place a term alongside the factors or problems it relates to.

Practice assessment

The Bowel Elimination quiz opens with a nursing assessment scenario about a patient who experiences diarrhea and cramping after eating ice cream. Use it to practice thinking through the information in a patient scenario.

For another assessment resource, the note on bowel assessment gives the sequence of inspection, auscultation, percussion and palpation. A separate mind map covers physical assessment and descriptions of bowel sounds. Compare these resources with the topics in the broader Bowel Elimination mind map.

Connect the resources

Within the Elimination unit, this topic page brings together the language, diagrams and assessment material for Bowel Elimination. You can move between a map for an overview, a note for detail and a quiz for scenario practice. Choose a resource and begin wherever you need the most review.