Constipation | RN Lesson | NurseNest

Introduction

Pathophysiology / Overview

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Signs and Symptoms

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Red Flags / Danger Signs

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Nursing Assessment and Interventions

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Clinical Pearls

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Client Education

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Your exam focus

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Next steps

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Related Lessons:

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Suggested Tags:

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INTRODUCTION

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Major structures include:

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The colon absorbs:

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Excessive transit time results in:

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Primary mechanisms include:

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Consequences include:

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Persistent stool retention causes:

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Chronic constipation may eventually lead to:

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Examples:

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SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

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ASSESSMENT

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Assess:

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May identify:

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Constipation commonly involves:

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DIAGNOSTIC TESTING

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Potential abnormalities:

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Signs:

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Nursing Alert:

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COMPLICATIONS

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TREATMENT

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Example:

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MEDICATION TABLE

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Evaluate:

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Teach clients to:

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Educate regarding:

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Priority:

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Priority:

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Priority:

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Immediate Provider Notification:

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Topic overview

Constipation Clinical framing, safety cues, prioritization patterns, and exam-style rationale for Constipation.

Clinical reasoning

For Constipation, connect the assessment cue to the immediate risk before selecting an action for RN. Start with stability, ABCs, neurologic change, medication risk, infection risk, and scope of practice. Then decide whether the safest next step is assess, intervene, escalate, teach, or evaluate response.

Patient safety implications

A missed priority in Constipation can delay recognition of deterioration or allow preventable harm to continue. Protect the client first by verifying abnormal cues, using ordered precautions, escalating unstable findings, and reassessing after intervention.

Example application

In a Constipation item, explain the first cue you noticed, the complication it predicts, the nursing action within scope, and the finding that proves the response worked.

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Finish the lesson first, then choose a focused activity to apply what you just reviewed.

Practice QuestionsApply this topic with board-style rationales.Open activity

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Learning ContextWhat should I do next?

Practice GastrointestinalRetest from the same lesson context and competency.

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Overview

Introduction

Topic overview

Clinical reasoning

Patient safety implications

Example application

Continue Your Learning

Check your understanding

Clinical pearl

Reference anchors

Quick Clinical Summary

Key Takeaways

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