Question

The patient had a car accident and was "scared to death." The patient now is reporting constipation. The nurse should know that what affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract could be contributing to the constipation?

a. Stress-induced colitis
b. Vagus nerve stimulation
c. Parasympathetic overstimulation
d. Sympathetic nervous system activation

Answer 1

The constipation reported by the patient after a car accident and stress can be attributed to parasympathetic overstimulation as a result of the stress response.

Step-by-step explanation:

The constipation reported by the patient after a car accident and stress can be attributed to parasympathetic overstimulation as a result of the stress response.

In general, sympathetic activation, which is associated with the fight-or-flight response, restricts the activity of enteric neurons, leading to decreased GI secretion and motility. On the other hand, parasympathetic activation, known as the rest-and-digest response, increases GI secretion and motility.

Stress-induced parasympathetic overstimulation can lead to increased GI secretion and motility, which can contribute to constipation.