6. An elderly client continues to have fecal incontinence with 6 to 7 small brown liquid stools each day. The client eats a soft diet and does not receive any stool softeners or laxatives. The client's primary form of activity is sitting in the wheelchair for 2 hours twice a day. What is the correct explanation for the frequent diarrhea stools?
. Inadequate roughage in the diet.
. Inactivity from sedentary lifestyle.
. Gastrointestinal virus.
. Fecal impaction.
Test-Taking Tip
Without a fever or positive stool culture, impaction should be ruled out.
Content Area: Geriatrics, Gastrointestinal; Integrated Process: Nursing Process, Analysis; Cognitive Level: Application; Client Need/Subneed: Physiological Integrity/Basic Care and Comfort/Elimination
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Answer 1 is incorrect because inadequate roughage would not cause diarrhea. Fecal impaction is likely causing the diarrhea. Fiber can be added to a soft diet to prevent constipation. Answer 2 is incorrect because the inactivity contributes to the potential for constipation and fecal impaction, but the impaction is causing the liquid stools. Answer 3 is incorrect because this client is more at risk to develop constipation and fecal impaction, not a GI virus. Answer 4 is correct because the client is at risk to develop fecal impaction secondary to constipation. Pressure on the colonic mucosa causes seepage of liquid stool around the area of impaction.