Bowel continence in the assessment is defined as what?

Bowel continence in the assessment is defined as what?

• A. Control of bladder
• B. Control of bowel movements
• C. Presence of ostomy device
• D. Pad use

Answer: (B)

The concept being tested is bowel continence—the ability to control bowel movements. Bowel continence means a person can sense the need to defecate, hold the stool until an appropriate time and place, and pass stool in a controlled way rather than leaking involuntarily. This hinges on the function of the anal sphincter and rectal sensation, as well as stool consistency and the person’s ability to use a toilet. Therefore, the best answer is control of bowel movements. The other options don’t fit: controlling the bladder refers to urinary continence, not bowel; having an ostomy device means stool is diverted away from the anal route, which is not about continence; pad use is an indicator of incontinence but not the definition of continence itself.

The concept being tested is bowel continence—the ability to control bowel movements. Bowel continence means a person can sense the need to defecate, hold the stool until an appropriate time and place, and pass stool in a controlled way rather than leaking involuntarily. This hinges on the function of the anal sphincter and rectal sensation, as well as stool consistency and the person’s ability to use a toilet. Therefore, the best answer is control of bowel movements. The other options don’t fit: controlling the bladder refers to urinary continence, not bowel; having an ostomy device means stool is diverted away from the anal route, which is not about continence; pad use is an indicator of incontinence but not the definition of continence itself.