ABSTRACT
Nursing Care for Patients with Bowel Elimination Disorders and the Nursing
Diagnosis of Constipation
(A Case Study at UPT Pelayanan Sosial Tresna Werdha, Magetan Regency)
By: Nova Windy Astuti
Student ID: 23613626
Constipation is one of the most common bowel elimination disorders
experienced by older adults due to the aging process, decreased intestinal motility,
inadequate dietary fiber and fluid intake, and reduced physical activity. This
condition may cause discomfort, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, and an
increased risk of complications, thus requiring comprehensive nursing care.
Methods: This study employed a case study design involving an older adult with a
nursing diagnosis of constipation at UPT Pelayanan Sosial Tresna Werdha
Kabupaten Magetan. Nursing care was provided over four days using the nursing
process approach, including assessment, nursing diagnosis, intervention,
implementation, and evaluation based on the Indonesian Nursing Diagnosis
Standards (SDKI), Indonesian Nursing Intervention Standards (SIKI), and
Indonesian Nursing Outcome Standards (SLKI).
Results: The assessment revealed that the patient had not defecated for four
days, complained of lower abdominal pain during defecation, had hard stools,
slight abdominal distension, bowel sounds of 5 times per minute. Nursing
interventions included constipation management through monitoring bowel
elimination patterns, identifying contributing factors, educating the patient to
increase fluid and high-fiber food intake, establishing regular bowel habits,
encouraging light physical activity, performing abdominal massage, and
collaborating in the administration of laxatives. Evaluation over the four-day
period showed gradual improvement in the patient's condition.
The nursing care provided over four days successfully improved the patient's
condition, as evidenced by successful defecation, softer stool consistency, reduced
abdominal pain, increased bowel sounds to 8 times per minute, resolution of
abdominal distension, and achievement of the expected nursing outcomes,
indicating that the constipation problem had been resolved. The implementation of
comprehensive constipation management, supported by patient education,
mobilization, increased fluid and fiber intake, and collaborative laxative therapy,
contributed to improved bowel elimination function and enhanced comfort in the
older adult.
Keywords: nursing care, constipation, older adults, bowel elimination, constipation
management.