chapter 37 Key Terms

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anus: opening at the end of anal canal

bowel incontinence: the inability of the anal sphincter to control the discharge of fecal and gaseous material

bowel-training program: program that manipulates factors within a person’s control (timing of defecation, exercise, diet) to produce a regular pattern of comfortable defecation without medication or enemas

cathartic: medication that strongly increases gastrointestinal motility and promotes defecation

colostomy: an opening into the colon that permits feces to exit through the stoma

constipation: passage of dry, hard fecal material

defecation: emptying of the intestinal tract; synonym for bowel movement

diarrhea: passage of liquid and unformed stools

endoscopy: direct visualization of hollow organs of the body using an endoscope (a flexible, lighted tube)

enema: introduction of solution into the lower bowel

fecal impaction: collection in the rectum of hardened feces that cannot be passed

fecal incontinence: involuntary or inappropriate passing of stool or flatus

feces: intestinal waste products

fissure: a linear break on the margin of the anus

flatulence: excessive formation of gases in the gastrointestinal tract

flatus: intestinal gas

hemorrhoids: abnormally distended rectal veins

ileostomy: opening into the small intestine allows fecal content from the ileum to be eliminated through the stoma

laxative: drug used to induce emptying of the intestinal tract

occult blood: blood present in such minute quantities that it cannot be detected with the unassisted eye

ostomy: general term referring to an artificial opening; usually used to refer to an opening created for the excretion of body wastes

paralytic ileus: paralysis of intestinal peristalsis

peristalsis: involuntary, progressive, wave-like movement of the musculature of the gastrointestinal tract

stoma: artificial opening for waste excretion located on the body surface

stool: excreted feces

suppository: oval- or cone-shaped substance that is inserted into a body cavity and that melts at body temperature

Valsalva maneuver: forcible exhalation against a closed glottis, resulting in increased intrathoracic pressure

(Taylor 1344)

Taylor, Carol. Fundamentals of Nursing. Wolters Kluwer Health, 10/2014. VitalBook file.