a semisolid mass; mixture of fiber and undigested food, shed epithelial cells, inorganic material, bacteria, water, fat

(bile salts make feces brown, bacteria turn yellow bile brown, bacteria also cause odor of feces)

• Promote removal of feces from the colon
• Used to treat severe constipation or impaction; clear the colon in preparation for visualization procedures; empty the colon when starting a bowel training program
• May be given "high" or "low". Low is standard, high attempts to clear as much of large intestine and patient turns to allow fluid to follow the shape of large intestine

• 500-1000 mL of tap water
• large volume distends the colon, stimulating peristalsis
• softens stool
• BM in about 15 minutes
• adverse effects - fluid and electrolyte imbalance, especially water intoxication, is possible if enema is not expelled

• 500-1000 mL of normal saline
• Large volume distends the colon, stimulating peristalsis
• Some softening of stool
• BM in about 15 minutes
• adverse effects: fluid and electrolyte imbalance, especially sodium retention

• 120-180 mL of sodium phosphate (eg Fleets); available as acommercially prepared solution
• Attracts water into the colon, thereby causing distention
• Rapid acting: 5-10 minutes
• adverse effects: sodium retention

• Introduce a solution into the colon that is meant to be retained for a prolonged period
• Small volume: 90-120 mL
• Oil-Retention, Carminative, Medicated, Nutritive

• Instill 90-120 mL of oil into the rectum to soften stool and lubricate the rectum
• May be used to pass hard stool or before digital removal of stool
• May be used at least 1 hour before cleansing enema

• Instill 60-180 mL of solution
• Help expel flatus and relieve bloating and distention
• May be used after abdominal or pelvic surgery when peristalsis is slow to return and patient experiences pressure from gas
• Solutions may be commercially prepared or prepared on the unit
• MGW - magnesium sulfate, glycerin water

• Also known as a Harris flush
• Help a patient expel flatus and relieve abdominal distention
• 100-200 mL of tap water or saline is instilled
• The rectal tube and solution container then lowered below the level of the rectum to encourage return flow of the solution
• Process repeated several times, or until distention is relieved

the involuntary loss of of larger amounts of urine accompanied by a strong urge to void

an involuntary loss of small amounts of urine with increased intra-abdominal pressure, such as exercise, laughing, sneezing, coughing, and lifting. Risk factors - pregnancy, childbirth, obesity

the loss of urine in combination with a distended bladder

the untimely loss of urine when no urinary or neurological cause is involved. Occurs because of physical disability, immobility, pain, external obstacles, or problems in thinking or communicating that prevent a person from reaching a toilet