Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan

College of Nursing

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in

NCM 116

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

Submitted by:
Kristine Marie V. Grabato
BSN3 – NE

Submitted to:
Mrs. Gemma V. Panal, RN MN, LPT
Clinical Instructor

December 11, 2020

 Predisposing Factors: Precipitating Factors:
 Age. IBS occurs more frequently in  Altered neurologic regulatory
people under age 50. IRRITABLE system
BOWEL SYNDROME  Infection or irritation
 Gender. In the United States, IBS is
more common among women. Estrogen  Vascular or metabolic
therapy before or after menopause also disturbance
is a risk factor for IBS.  Consumption of irritating or
stimulating foods
 Family history of IBS. results from  Stress
 Anxiety, depression or other mental
health issues
Functional disorder of
intestinal motility

Muscle contractions Abnormalities in the Changes in gut

nerves in digestive Severe infection
in the intestine microbes
system

Strong Weak Poorly IBS can develop after

Changes in bacteria,
Contractions contractions coordinated a severe bout of
fungi and viruses
signals between diarrhea caused by
the brain and the bacteria or a virus
 Gas intestines
 Hard, dry
 Bloating
stools
 Diarrhea
Bacterial overgrowth
. Body overreacts in the intestines
to changes
  Pain
 Diarrhea
 Constipation

Diagnostic Tests: Medical Management:

 Stool studies  A healthy, high-fiber diet
 Contrast x-ray studies  Exercise
 Proctoscopy  Hydrophilic colloids (ie, bulk)
 Barium enema  Antidiarrheal agents (eg, loperamide)
 Colonoscopy  Antidepressants
 Manometry  Anticholinergics and calcium channel
 Electromyography blockers

= Predisposing factors
= Precipitating factors
= Signs & symptoms
= Disease process
= Medical management
= Nursing Management
= Diagnostic tests
Nursing Management:
 Provide patient and family education.
 Emphasize teaching and reinforce good
dietary habits.
 Encourage to eat at regular times and to
chew food slowly and thoroughly.
 The patient should understand that,
although adequate fluid intake is
necessary, fluid should not be taken with
meals because this results in abdominal
distention.
 Alcohol use and cigarette smoking are
discouraged.
 IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
1. Define the disease condition.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is

one of the most common GI problems. It
is a group of symptoms that occur
together, including repeated pain in your
abdomen and changes in your bowel
movements, which may be diarrhea,
constipation, or both. IBS occurs more
commonly in women than in men, and the
cause is still unknown. Although no
anatomic or biochemical abnormalities
have been found that explain the common
symptoms, various factors are associated
with the syndrome: heredity, psychological stress or conditions such as depression
and anxiety, a diet high in fat and stimulating or irritating foods, alcohol consumption,
and smoking. The small intestine has become a focus of investigation as an additional
site of dysmotility in IBS, and cluster contractions in the jejunum and ileum are being
studied.
2. Identify the Causative agent.

The exact cause of irritable bowel syndrome is unknown and may be due to
multiple factors. Although no anatomic or biochemical abnormalities have been found
that explain the common symptoms, various factors are associated with the syndrome:
heredity, psychological stress or conditions such as depression and anxiety, a diet
high in fat and stimulating or irritating foods, alcohol consumption, and smoking.

IBS results from a functional disorder of intestinal motility. The change in motility
may be related to the neurologic regulatory system, infection or irritation, or a vascular
or metabolic disturbance. The peristaltic waves are affected at specific segments of
the intestine and in the intensity with which they propel the fecal matter forward. There
is no evidence of inflammation or tissue changes in the intestinal mucosa.
3. Signs and symptoms.

There is a wide variability in symptom presentation. Symptoms range in

intensity and duration from mild and infrequent to severe and continuous.

 The primary symptom is an alteration in bowel patterns—constipation, diarrhea,

or a combination of both.
 Pain, bloating, and abdominal distention often accompany this change in bowel
pattern.
 The abdominal pain is sometimes precipitated by eating and is frequently
relieved by defecation.
4. Medical and Nursing management.
Medical Management

The goals of treatment are aimed at relieving abdominal pain, controlling the
diarrhea or constipation, and reducing stress. Restriction and then gradual
reintroduction of foods that are possibly irritating may help determine what types of
food are acting as irritants (eg, beans, caffeinated products, fried foods, alcohol, spicy
foods). A healthy, high-fiber diet is prescribed to help control the diarrhea and
constipation. Exercise can assist in reducing anxiety and increasing intestinal motility.
Patients often find it helpful to participate in a stress reduction or behavior-
modificationprogram.

 Hydrophilic colloids (ie, bulk) and antidiarrheal agents (eg, loperamide) may
be given to control the diarrhea and fecal urgency.
 Antidepressants can assist in treating underlying anxiety and depression.
 Anticholinergics and calcium channel blockers decrease smooth muscle
spasm, decreasing cramping and constipation.
Nursing Management

 The nurse’s role is to provide patient and family education.

 The nurse emphasizes teaching and reinforces good dietary habits.
 The patient is encouraged to eat at regular times and to chew food slowly and
thoroughly.
 The patient should understand that, although adequate fluid intake is
necessary, fluid should not be taken with meals because this results in
abdominal distention.
 Alcohol use and cigarette smoking are discouraged.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
Mayo Clinic. (2020). Irritable bowel syndrome. Retrieved December 7, 2020 from
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/
symptoms-causes/syc-20360016
Brunner, L. S., Suddarth, D. S., Smeltzer, S. C. O., & Bare, B. G. (2004). Brunner &
Suddarth's textbook of medical-surgical nursing (10th edition.). Philadelphia:
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins