NCLEX-RNBasic Care and ComfortMedium
A nurse is establishing a bowel training program for a client with fecal incontinence related to a spinal cord injury. Which time should the nurse schedule the client for toileting to take advantage of a natural physiologic reflex?
- A30 minutes after a meal, particularly breakfast
- BEvery 2 hours regardless of meal times
- CImmediately before meals, when the stomach is empty
- DAt bedtime, after all daily food intake is complete
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 30 minutes after a meal, particularly breakfast
The gastrocolic reflex causes increased colonic motility 15-45 minutes after eating, making this the optimal time for scheduled toileting in a bowel training program. Breakfast is often chosen because it reliably triggers this reflex. Toileting before meals or randomly throughout the day does not use this natural reflex effectively.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Random intervals ignore the physiologic timing of the reflex.
- C. An empty stomach does not trigger the gastrocolic reflex.
- D. Bedtime does not align with a meal-triggered reflex.
Bowel Training & Gastrocolic Reflex
The gastrocolic reflex increases colonic peristalsis shortly after food enters the stomach, making post-meal timing ideal for scheduled bowel training programs.
- Reflex occurs 15-45 minutes after eating
- Breakfast is a commonly used trigger meal
- Consistency in timing improves training success
Memory trick: "Eat, then greet the toilet seat."