All the following are causes of constipation EXCEPT?

AIIMS Bhuvneshwar NO- 2018

Medical Surgical Nursing

Hard

Appeared in: AIIMS Bhuvneshwar NO- 2018

Explanation

Laxative abuse is the correct exception because the primary action of laxatives is to induce bowel movements and relieve constipation.
The other options (decreased fluid, inadequate fiber, decreased motility) are all direct primary causes of constipation.
Chronic laxative abuse leads to a secondary, paradoxical form of constipation by causing the bowel to become dependent and lose its natural tone (atonic colon), but it is not a primary cause in the same way as the others.

Option A: Decreased fluid intake is a direct and common cause of constipation. Insufficient water makes the stool hard and difficult to pass.
Option C: Decreased gastrointestinal motility (slow peristalsis) is a core pathophysiological reason for constipation. Slower transit time in the colon leads to excessive water absorption from the stool.
Option D: Inadequate fibre intake is a major dietary cause of constipation. Fiber adds bulk to the stool, which stimulates bowel movements.

Visual 1: Infographic: A diagram illustrating the primary causes of constipation, showing how low fiber, low fluid, and decreased motility lead to hard stools.
Visual 2: Table: A comparison of different types of laxatives (bulk-forming, osmotic, stimulant) with their mechanisms of action and nursing considerations, highlighting the risks of long-term use.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Etiology of Constipation as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a key role in assessing patients for constipation and educating them on prevention strategies. This includes dietary advice (fiber and fluids), encouraging mobility, and establishing a regular bowel routine.
It is critical to educate patients, especially older adults, about the dangers of chronic laxative use and to promote non-pharmacological interventions as the first line of treatment.
What if? If a patient on long-term opioid therapy develops constipation, the approach is different. Opioid-induced constipation is due to slowed GI motility. The nurse should anticipate this, administer prescribed stool softeners or specific opioid-antagonist medications, and not simply label it as a lifestyle issue.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the keyword 'EXCEPT'. This means you are looking for the option that is NOT a cause of constipation.
Evaluate each option based on your knowledge of gastrointestinal physiology.
Recall that decreased fluid, low fiber, and slow motility are classic, direct causes of constipation.
Analyze the role of laxatives. Their purpose is to treat constipation. While 'abuse' can lead to constipation, this is a secondary, paradoxical effect, making it the exception in a list of primary causes.
Select 'Laxative abuse' as the option that does not fit with the direct, primary causes of constipation.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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