Master Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Assessment with Picmonic for Nursing RN

When the patient defecates, the intestinal walls relax as stool is released. The pain in the abdomen is relieved by decreasing the pressure within the intestinal walls.

Individuals with IBS experience intermittent episodes of diarrhea and constipation. The patient with IBS may have more than 3 bowel movements a day with loose and watery stools. With constipation, the stools are small and hard, frequently followed by several softer stools. The alterations of bowel patterns cause pain as increased and decreased bowel transit times affect bowel motility and intestinal wall integrity.

The chronic changes in bowel patterns may cause fatigue and sleep disturbances. The patient may experience anxiety and depression from their abnormal bowel patterns. The constant abdominal pain activates the stress response and leads to fatigue.

Patients with IBS experience excessive flatulence, abdominal distention, and bloating. During normal peristalsis, the intestinal walls smoothly coordinate contractions to move digested food through the intestinal tract. During IBS, intestinal contractions may be stronger and longer than normal, causing increased bloating in the abdomen, released as flatulence.

Patients with IBS may feel like they haven't completely emptied their colon after a bowel movement. The constant alterations between hard stools during constipation and stools that are more loose with diarrhea may affect their sensation of defecation.

Psychological stressors such as depression, anxiety, abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may contribute to the development and exacerbation of IBS. A majority of patients report worsening symptoms during periods of increased stress. Assess the patient's psychosocial factors, such as stress and anxiety, while obtaining a health history.

Certain food intolerances are often reported by patients with IBS. Chemicals that may exacerbate symptoms of IBS include fructans found in wheat, galactans, lactose, fructose, sorbitol, and xylitol. Consuming certain types of food may trigger changes in bowel patterns. Other foods that may exacerbate symptoms include chocolate, fat, spices, fruit, dairy, and carbonated beverages.

Irritable bowel syndrome affects women 2 to 2.5 times more often than men. Women are more likely to report symptoms, such as constipation, migraine headaches, insomnia, and fibromyalgia. Since women are more likely to seek professional healthcare help, IBS is diagnosed more frequently in women than men. Hormonal changes related to menstruation may also contribute to IBS.

Since there are no accurate tests to identify IBS, obtaining a thorough history and physical examination of the patient is critical to initiate supportive therapy to help relieve symptoms. Assess the patient's symptoms, past health history, current medications, family history, and diet history. To rule out other conditions, perform diagnostic tests for colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), endometriosis, and malabsorption disorders.