PHINMA UNIVERSITY OF PANGASINAN
NURSING CARE PLAN (CONSTIPATION)
ASSESSMENT DIAGNOSIS OUTCOME PLANNING INTERVENTION RATIONALE EVALUATION
Subjective Data:
The patient
complaints of not
having regular
bowel movement
and states that he
hasn’t defecated for
a week now. He
also claims that he’s
having difficulty
passing his stools
and when he does it
is very hard and
small.
Objective Data:
- Presence of
impaired mobility
- Release of unusual
acne and skin
breakouts
- Hypoactive bowel
sound
- Dry stools that are
difficult to pass
Patient VS are
follows
BP: 110/20 mmHg
RR: 22 bpm
PR: 118 bpm
Temp: 37 degrees C
Constipation related
to insufficient fluid or
fiber intake and poor
eating habits as
evidence by absence
of stool.
Expected Outcome:
- Within 3-4 days of
receiving this
diagnosis, the patient
express that his
defecated habit have
been returned to its
normal and usual
condition.
- The patient
continues to have
well-formed bowel
movements and not
to experience
difficulty when
passing his/her stools
by at all, and is
successfully able to
identify actions to
take to prevent
constipation in the
future .
Short Term:
After 4 hours of
nursing intervention,
the client will establish
or return to normal
patterns of bowel
functioning.
Long Term :
After 10 hours of
nursing interventions,
the patient's
constipation will be
relieved as evidenced
by:
- Absence of
abdominal distention
- Client will be able to
defecate
- Demonstrate ROM
exercise to relieve
constipation
- Verbalize
understanding about
the interventions with
regards to relieving
constipation
1. Determine stool
color, consistency,
frequency and
amount.
2. Increase dietary
fiber intake.
3. Encourage
increase fluid intake
of 2500-3000ml/day
within cardiac
tolerance.
4. Encourage fruits
and vegetables, avoid
processed foods or
fast foods.
5. Avoid large
amounts of artificial
fruit juices and sodas
as it has large amount
of sugar which can
lead to constipation.
6. Auscultate bowel
sounds.
7. Feel for palpable
mass or tenderness
8 Encourage regular
play and activity.
9. Promote bowel
training.
10. Discuss use of
stool softener, mild
1. A diet high in
fiber helps maintain
bowel health and
aids in softening the
stools as well as
laxatives like mild
stimulants and bulks
forming It works by
absorbing water and
adds bulk to stool,
thus making it easier
to pass.
2. Sufficient fluid is
vital to promote
correct stool
consistency
3. Fruits and
vegetables that are
rich in fiber and
other nutrients help
with normal bowel
movement and
improve stool
consistency. Foods
that are high in fat
like fast foods may
cause or worsen
constipation as well
as foods that are
high in sugar
4. Decreased or
absent bowel sounds
often indicate
constipation.
5. Exercises and
activities like
- The ease,
regularity, and
frequency of bowel
motions should be
evaluated.
- A favorable result
would be if the
patient reported
decreased pain and
discomfort when
bowel movements.
- If a patient is
using laxatives, it is
important to check
the patient's dosage
and frequency to
make sure the drug
is working as
intended and not
having any
negative side
effects.
- If the patient is
not responding well
to the treatment
approach, you
might need to
reevaluate the
primary cause of
constipation and
adjust the treatment
strategy. A
specialist referral
may be required in
specific
circumstances.
