Management of constipation in the critically ill patient.
Teamwork and a well-known problem-solving technique are used to give a flexible solution to the problem of bowel management in the critically ill patient. A literature review of constipation is linked to treatment of the critically ill patient. General and specific factors are discussed including nasogastric feeding pharmacology. Design and implementation of a protocol for bowel management for patients in the intensive care field of nursing are demonstrated.
Hill
S
S
Intensive Care Unit, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading.
Anderson
J
J
Baker
K
K
Bonson
B
B
Gager
M
M
Lake
E
E
D000465:Algorithms; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D003663:Decision Trees; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors