The home health nurse is visiting a 67-year-old widow who lives at home by herself.The patient voices a concern about constipation.What is the best way for the nurse to approach the patient's concern?

A) "Tell me why you think you are constipated."
B) "Have you noticed that your stools are hard?"
C) "How frequently are you having a bowel movement?"
D) "What color is your stool?"

In determining the patient's bowel habits,remember "normal" is unique to each individual.Far too often nurses do not acknowledge an older adult's problems with intestinal elimination as an important consideration in their care.Remember that what appears at the outset to be a trivial complaint may be a significant problem physically and/or psychologically.Apply this knowledge in preparing questions for the patient interview to determine the presence and extent of GI alterations.Although the other questions will help determine if there is a problem,having the patient voice her concern will direct future questions.Determine your patient's usual pattern of bowel elimination.Usual frequency and time of day are important,but also determine if any changes in elimination patterns have occurred.Ask the patient to make suggestions about the reason for any change.