Question

A nurse is assisting with the implementation of a bowel training program for a client. For the program to be effective, the client should be taken to the bathroom at which of the following times?

1) immediately before the client has a meal
2) when the client has the urge to defecate
3) every 2 hr while the client is awake
4) after the client feels abdominal cramping

Answer 1

For an effective bowel training program, a client should be taken to the bathroom when they have the urge to defecate, as responding to natural bodily cues is essential for establishing a healthy bowel movement pattern.

Step-by-step explanation:

Bowel Training Program Timing

For a bowel training program to be effective, the optimal time to take a client to the bathroom would be when the client has the urge to defecate. This is supported by the natural process of defecation that begins with the movement of feces into the rectum, causing its walls to stretch and initiate the defecation reflex.

Encouraging a client to respond to their body's natural signals helps to establish a regular pattern for bowel movements, which can be disrupted by delaying the response to defecatory urges or by other factors like diet, health, and stress levels.

It is important to note that the frequency of bowel movements is unique to each individual and can vary widely, with a range of two or three per day to three or four per week considered normal. Addressing disorders of the bowels promptly is vital, and diet plays a crucial role in maintaining regularity. Intake of fiber and water promotes softer stools and prevents constipation. Conversely, excessive intake of fluids can lead to diarrhea.