The nurse is caring for a patient who has been unable to have a bowel movement for the last 4 days after taking prescribed narcotic pain medication.Which nursing diagnosis is appropriate for this patient?

A) Risk for constipation related to irregular defecation habits
B) Perceived constipation related to expectation of daily bowel movements
C) Constipation related to side effects of pain medication
D) Impaired bowel elimination related to abdominal muscle weakness

Question

Amaya Eskue · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : C, Explanation :  Constipation related to side effects of pain medication is the correct diagnosis for this patient as there has been no bowel movement for the last 4 days.Risk for constipation and perceived constipation are not appropriate because the constipation problem has already been developed.Impaired bowel elimination is not the correct nursing diagnostic term and the patient's constipation problem is not due to abdominal muscle weakness.

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