17 BOWEL AND BLADDER ISSUES Changes in bowel or bladder habits are a result of many things like inactivity, change in eating habits, MANAGE SYMPTOMS
medication and lack of privacy. Constipation: A longer-than-normal period between regular bowel movements or unusually hard stool. A patient should have a bowel movement at least every
tient. For all bowel or bladder issues: • Allow for privacy, with doors closed, curtains pulled, or privacy screens. • Stay close by for the patient’s safety, in case they need assistance. • Use a bedside commode, bedpan, or urinal if walking to the bathroom is not safe or too difficult. Your Care Team can arrange for this equipment. • Sitting upright, gently rocking back and forth is more comfortable than straining. CALL YOUR CARE TEAM IF: • Patient has not urinated or emptied bladder for 12-18 hours. • Patient experiences abdominal pain or burning when urinating or when empty - ing bowels. • Patient’s abdomen becomes hard, or swollen. • Patient’s urine is discolored, dark, or contains blood. • Patient is unable to control urination. • Patient does not have a bowel move - ment in 3 days, even with very little or no eating. • Patient has 2-3 episodes of diarrhea within an 8-hour period.
3 days, even if not eating very much. • Drink fluids as much as possible. • Walk daily if possible.
• Eat foods high in fiber, such a vegetables and fruits, if the patient can still drink several glass - es of fluids each day. • Only use fiber laxatives, like Metamucil, if the pa - tient can drink several glasses of fluids each day. • Vegetable laxatives and stool softeners, such a senna and docusate, are preferred, especially if the patient is taking pain medications. Diarrhea: Frequent, watery stools that may be ac- companied by stomach cramping. • Drink liquids such as water, apple juice, non- caffeine sodas, or chicken broth until the symp - toms end. • Avoid dairy products such as milk, cheese, or ice cream. • Gradually offer the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, ap - plesauce, toast) as the diarrhea begins to stop. Urine: Many patients become incontinent and/or cannot control emptying their bladder. Some have difficulty fully emptying their bladder and may be - come uncomfortable or restless as the bladder dis- tends. • Waterproof pads or adult briefs will protect clothing and furniture. • Keep the patient’s skin clean and dry often to avoid skin irritations or breakdown. • Sometimes a catheter (a thin, soft tube) is in - serted into the bladder to drain urine. Your nurse can do this if it becomes best for the pa-
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