Study for ELNEC 4: Symptom Management in Palliative Care Test with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Hints and explanations included! Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which condition is listed as a cause of constipation related to neurological impairment?

Neurological impairment can disrupt the neural control of the bowel, leading to a neurogenic bowel and constipation. When the spinal cord is compressed or transected, the pathways that coordinate colonic motility and sphincter function are interrupted. This loss of neural regulation slows or halts peristalsis and can cause stool to accumulate, producing constipation. The other factors cause constipation through non-neural mechanisms: an intestinal blockage physically impedes passage, while hypercalcemia or low potassium affect smooth muscle function generally, not through neural disruption.

Neurological impairment can disrupt the neural control of the bowel, leading to a neurogenic bowel and constipation. When the spinal cord is compressed or transected, the pathways that coordinate colonic motility and sphincter function are interrupted. This loss of neural regulation slows or halts peristalsis and can cause stool to accumulate, producing constipation. The other factors cause constipation through non-neural mechanisms: an intestinal blockage physically impedes passage, while hypercalcemia or low potassium affect smooth muscle function generally, not through neural disruption.