Constipation Nursing Care Plan: 2 Sample Plans and Interventions

Constipation means stools are hard, dry, or happen less often than normal for the client. Common causes include opioids, low fiber, low fluid intake, and not moving enough. Your priorities are finding the cause, restoring a regular bowel pattern, and teaching prevention.

A · AssessmentD · DiagnosisP · PlanningI · InterventionE · Evaluation

Each care plan below follows the nursing process (ADPIE).

CARE PLAN 1 · NURSING DIAGNOSIS

Constipation

Related to

Opioid pain medicine
Low fiber and fluid intake
Decreased activity

As evidenced by

No bowel movement in 3 days
Hard, dry stool
Straining
Abdominal fullness and discomfort

PLANNING · EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Short-term goals

Client has a soft bowel movement within 24 to 48 hours

Long-term goals

Client returns to their usual bowel pattern
Client passes soft stool without straining

ASSESSMENT

Usual bowel pattern and date of last bowel movement
Bowel sounds and abdominal distention
Stool color, amount, and consistency
Medication list for constipating drugs

INTERVENTIONS AND RATIONALES

INTERVENTION	RATIONALE
Encourage fluids, about 2 to 3 L a day unless restricted	Fluid softens stool.
Encourage fiber such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains	Fiber adds bulk and helps stool move.
Help the client walk as tolerated	Movement stimulates the bowel.
Give stool softeners or laxatives as ordered, especially with opioids	Opioids slow the gut, so a bowel plan prevents constipation.
Offer the toilet after meals and give privacy	Eating triggers the urge to go, and privacy helps the client relax.

EVALUATION

Client has a soft bowel movement
Client reports less bloating and discomfort

CARE PLAN 2 · NURSING DIAGNOSIS

Deficient Knowledge

Related to

New medications that cause constipation
Little information about bowel health

As evidenced by

Client asks how to prevent constipation
Client uses laxatives every day without guidance

PLANNING · EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Short-term goals

Client names 3 ways to prevent constipation before discharge

Long-term goals

Client follows a bowel routine at home without daily laxative use

ASSESSMENT

Current knowledge and habits
Laxative and enema use at home
Ability to read food labels for fiber

INTERVENTIONS AND RATIONALES

INTERVENTION	RATIONALE
Teach the role of fiber, fluids, and activity	Understanding the reason helps the client stick with changes.
Teach not to ignore the urge to have a bowel movement	Holding stool lets it dry out and harden.
Teach the risks of long-term stimulant laxative use	Overuse can make the bowel depend on laxatives.
Teach when to call the provider	Severe pain, blood in stool, or no stool with vomiting can signal a blockage.

EVALUATION

Client states 3 prevention strategies
Client describes when to seek care

Practice this in Everyday RN

Keep bowel plans on track across a full med-surg shift.

Play Everyday RN

Quick answers

A client on opioids after surgery has not had a bowel movement in 3 days. What is the best action?

Assess bowel sounds and the abdomen, then give the ordered stool softener or laxative and encourage fluids, fiber, and walking.

What is the difference between a stool softener and a stimulant laxative?

A softener like docusate pulls water into stool to soften it. A stimulant like senna or bisacodyl makes the bowel muscles push.

For learning only. Individualize every care plan to your client, and follow your program, current guidelines, provider orders, and facility policy.