This study aimed to investigate the early, late, and total constipation frequency, related factors, and their effects on the hospitalization day, gastric residual volume, vomiting, distension, and diarrhea, the feeding type, white blood cells, and C-Reactive Protein levels, and body temperature.
Constipation is one of the most encountered nursing problems in intensive care unit patients. Constipation is an important issue, especially in intensive care patients, requiring careful discussion since it has negative effects as well as high incidence and excessive risk factors. Furthermore, untreated constipation in these patients delays enteral feeding prolonging the time of weaning from the mechanical ventilator, which consequently increases the duration of stay in the intensive care unit. Additionally, it involves complications such as distention, nausea-vomiting, an increase in bacterial infection rate, high morbidity, and mortality. Therefore, the definitions, risks, and effects of constipation, especially early and late constipation, in critically ill patients should be determined for evidence-based interventions. However, studies on the subject are limited.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
116
Bolu Izzet Baysal State Hospital, Anesthesia Intensive Care Unit
Bolu, Merkez, Turkey (Türkiye)
The frequency of total constipation, early-type constipation and late-type constipation
During the study, patients in the intensive care unit with no bowel movements for four days were accepted as constipated. The ones without defecation for five days were evaluated in the early type constipation group, while the patients without defecation for six days or more were evaluated in the late-type constipation group.
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of five months
he duration of stay in the intensive care unit
the duration of stay in the intensive care unit as days (how many days?)
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of five months
the amount of gastric residual volume
the amount of gastric residual volume in ml/cc
Time frame: Through study completion, an avarage of five months
developing vomiting
developing vomiting as numbers (how many times?)
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of five months
Level of white blood cells
level of white blood cells (WBC) in mcL
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of five months
body temperature
body temperature in celsius
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of five months
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.