Question

51. The nurse is contributing to a patients plan of care. For which patient would the nursing diagnosis of Risk for Constipation be most appropriate?

a. A 37-year-old taking NSAIDs for bursitis
b. A 59-year-old taking narcotics for chronic pain control
c. A 74-year-old taking antibiotics for a urinary tract infection
d. A 67-year-old taking anticoagulant therapy for a history of deep vein thrombosis

Answer 1

The 59-year-old taking narcotics for chronic pain control is most likely to have the nursing diagnosis of Risk for Constipation, due to narcotics significantly reducing gastrointestinal motility and causing constipation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nursing diagnosis of Risk for Constipation would be most appropriate for a 59-year-old taking narcotics for chronic pain control. Narcotics, or opioid pain medications, are known to slow down the gastrointestinal tract, which can lead to constipation. While NSAIDs, antibiotics, and anticoagulants can have various side effects, they are not typically associated with a significant risk for constipation compared to the effect of narcotics.

Constipation is a common side effect of narcotic pain medications because these drugs reduce gastric motility, which can result in a delayed transit time through the colon. This reduced movement prevents normal bowel movements, leading to constipation. Therefore, the patient most at risk is the one who is on chronic narcotic therapy.