XVI Glossary
Open Resources for Nursing (Open RN)
Anuria: Absence of urine output that is typically found during kidney failure. Can be defined as less than 50 mL of urine over a 24-hour period. (Chapter 16.2)
Black stools: Black-colored stools can be caused by iron supplements or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) taken for an upset stomach. (Chapter 16.2)
Bowel incontinence: The loss of bowel control, causing the unexpected passage of stool. (Chapter 16.8)
Bowel retraining: Involves teaching the body to have a bowel movement at a certain time of the day. (Chapter 16.8)
Constipation: Infrequent or difficult evacuation of feces. (Chapter 16.6)
Contrast: A special dye administered to clients before some diagnostic tests so that certain areas show up better on the X-rays. (Chapter 16.9)
Diarrhea: More than three unformed stools in 24 hours. (Chapter 16.7)
Dysuria: Painful or difficult urination. (Chapter 16.2)
Enuresis: Incontinence when sleeping (i.e., bedwetting). (Chapter 16.2)
Fecal impaction: A condition that occurs when stool accumulates in the rectum usually due to the client not feeling the presence of stool or not using the toilet when the urge is felt. A classic sign of fecal impaction is liquid seepage of stool. Large balls of soft stool may need to be digitally removed or treated with mineral oil enemas. (Chapter 16.6)
Frequency: Urinary frequency is the need to urinate many times during the day or at night (nocturia) in normal or less-than-normal volumes. It may be accompanied by a feeling of urgency. (Chapter 16.2)
Functional incontinence: Occurs in older adults who have normal bladder control but have a problem getting to the toilet because of arthritis or other disorders that make it hard to move quickly. Clients with dementia also have increased risk for functional incontinence. (Chapter 16.4)
Hematuria: Blood in urine, either visualized or found during microscopic analysis. (Chapter 16.2)
Intestinal obstruction: A partial or complete blockage of the intestines so that contents of the intestine cannot pass through it. (Chapter 16.6)
Meconium: The black to dark green, sticky first bowel movement of a newborn. (Chapter 16.2)
Melena: Black, sticky, tar-looking stools. Melena is typically caused by bleeding in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract, such as the esophagus, stomach, or the first part of the small intestine, or due to the client swallowing blood. The blood appears darker and tarry-looking because it undergoes digestion on its way through the GI tract. (Chapter 16.2)
Mixed urinary incontinence: Urinary frequency, urgency, and stress incontinence. (Chapter 16.4)
Nocturia: The need for a client to get up at night on a regular basis to urinate. Nocturia often causes sleep deprivation that affects a person’s quality of life. (Chapter 16.2)
Occult blood: Hidden blood in the stool not visible to the naked eye. (Chapter 16.9)
Oliguria: Decreased urine output, defined as less than 500 mL urine in adults in a 24-hour period