Nurul Aidah Syahanah

6i keperawatan
LESSON 1

FAECES

READING

In the adult, normal faeces are brown, semi-solid and have a characteristic odour. Faces consists
of indigestible or undigested food, altered bile pigments, water, mucus, cells from the intestinal
tract and bacteria. When observing faeces, the following points are noted; the frequency of
defeacation and whether flatus is passed, the colour and consistency of the stools, and the
presence of any abnormal substances or objects. Fresh blood in a stool is usually due to bleeding
in the lower bowel. Altered blood in a stool is due to bleeding in the stomach or small intestine
and produces dark, tarry stool
– melaena. The absence of bile pigments and the presence of large amounts of fat produce stools
that are putty-coloured and extremely offensive.
Constipation is a condition in which the passing of stools is difficult and infrequent.
Diarrhea is a condition in which frequent loose or liquid stools are passed.
Stomach trouble color colour
Mr. Mills has a story of stomach trouble. He has an appointment at a medical out- patients’ clinic
at 14.30 on Monday, July 1st. He arrives on time, and after a few minutes later, the doctor is
ready to see him.
Doctor : Good afternoon, Mr. Mills, isn’t it?
Patient :Yes. Good afternoon, doctor
Doctor :sit down, please. Now, let me see, you’ve been having trouble with your
stomach, haven’t you?
Patient : Yes. I have this pain, and now my stools are all black and tarry
Doctor : How long have you had the pain?
Patient : Oh, for about two years. But it’s been getting much worse since the
beginning of May.
Doctor : Do you have it all the time?
Patient : No, it comes on about an hour to an hour and a half after I’ve had a meal
Doctor : does it last long?
Patient : No, I usually have a biscuit and a glass of milk, and then it goes off.
Doctor : Have you ever vomited any blood?
Patient : Never
Doctor :Have you been feeling weak or tired or cold?
Patient : Well, I have been feeling a bit weak since I came home from my
Holidays
Doctor : When was that?
Patient : Three weeks ago
Doctor : For how long have you been passing these tarry stools?
Patient : Since last Friday
Doctor : Are they loose?
Patient : No. they’re not. They’re all black and hard
Doctor : How often do you have your bowel open?
Patient : Once a day. I usually take a laxative
Doctor : Well, thank you, Mr. Mills. Now would you mind undressing? I’d like to
examine you

I. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS

1. What do faeces consist of?
Faces consists of indigestible or undigested food, altered bile pigments, water, mucus, cells
from the intestinal tract and bacteria
2. What should be noted when observing faeces?
the frequency of defeacation and whether flatus is passed, the colour and consistency of the
stools, and the presence of any abnormal substances or objects.
3. What causes fresh blood in a stool?
Fresh blood in a stool is usually due to bleeding in the lower bowel.
4. Why is blood altered?
Altered blood in a stool is due to bleeding in the stomach or small intestine and produces
dark, tarry stool
5. Why are stool putty-coloured and extremely offensive?
Because The absence of bile pigments and the presence of large amounts of fat produce
stools
6. What is constipation?
Constipation is a condition in which the passing of stools is difficult and infrequent
7. What is diarrhea?
Diarrhea is a condition in which frequent loose or liquid stools are passed
II. VOCABULARY

COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES

1. If something cannot be digested, it can be called feaces

2. If something has not been digested, it is called food

3. We can say, the passing of faeces,or defecate

4. We can talk about gas, or air in the bowels or flatus

5. We can say, altered blood in the stool, or melaena.
6. We can say, organic colouring matter, or bilirubin
7. We can say, the intestines, or the bowels
8. We can say, an unpleasant smell, or an unpleasant odor
9. If someone passes frequent, loose stools, he has Diarrhea
10. If someone passes stools with difficulty and irregularly, he has constipation
11. We can ask, how often do you pass faeces? Or how often do you have your bowel open
12. We can say, a medicine which helps defeacation, or a laxative