Management of constipation in the critically ill patient

Abstract

Teamwork and a well-known problem-solving technique are used to give a flexible solution to the problem of bowel management in the critically ill patient. A literature review of constipation is linked to treatment of the critically ill patient. General and specific factors are discussed including nasogastric feeding pharmacology. Design and implementation of a protocol for bowel management for patients in the intensive care field of nursing are demonstrated.