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. In hospitalized clients, oliguria is further defined as less than 0.5 mL of urine per kilogram per hour for adults and children or less than 1 mL of urine per kilogram per hour for infants. (Chapter 16.2)
Overflow incontinence: Occurs when small amounts of urine leak from a bladder that is always full. This condition tends to occur in males with enlarged prostates that prevent the complete emptying of the bladder. (Chapter 16.4)
Paralytic ileus: A condition where peristalsis is not propelling the contents through the intestines. (Chapter 16.6)
Peristalsis: The involuntary contraction and relaxation of the muscles of the intestine creating wave-like movements that push the digested contents forward. (Chapter 16.2)
Polyuria: Greater than 2.5 liters of urine output over 24 hours; also referred to as diuresis. Urine is typically clear with no color. (Chapter 16.2)
Postvoid residual: A measurement of urine left in the bladder after a client has voided by using a bladder scanner or straight catheterization. (Chapter 16.5)
Pyuria: At least ten white blood cells in each cubic millimeter of urine in a urine sample that typically indicates infection. In some cases, pus may be visible in the urine. (Chapter 16.2)
Rectal bleeding: Bright red blood in the stools; also referred to as hematochezia. (Chapter 16.2)
Stress urinary incontinence: The involuntary loss of urine on intra-abdominal pressure (e.g., laughing and coughing) or physical exertion (e.g., jumping). (Chapter 16.4)
Tarry stools: Stools that are black and sticky that appear like tar; also referred to as melena. (Chapter 16.2)
Urgency: A sensation of an urgent need to void. Urgency may be associated with urge incontinence. (Chapter 16.2)
Urge urinary incontinence: Also referred to as “overactive bladder”; urine leakage accompanied by a strong desire to void. It can be caused by increased sensitivity to stimulation of the detrusor in the bladder or decreased inhibitory control of the central nervous system. (Chapter 16.4)
Urinary retention: A condition when the client cannot empty all of the urine from their bladder. (Chapter 16.5)