Patient
Hi, I'm having an issue and would like some advice.
Triage Assistant
Sure, where does it hurt?
Patient
I don't have any pain, but I'm experiencing some concerning symptoms.
Triage Assistant
What symptoms are you experiencing?
Patient
I've been straining a lot when I try to have a bowel movement and noticed something that worried me.
Triage Assistant
Understood. I'll use the Constipation protocol to guide our next steps.
Triage Assistant
How often do you have a bowel movement and when was your last one? Normal frequency ranges from 3 times a day to every 3 days.
Patient
I usually have a bowel movement every 2-3 days. My last one was two days ago.
Triage Assistant
Do you have to strain to have a bowel movement?
Patient
Yes, I've been straining a lot recently.
Triage Assistant
Does your rectum hurt when the stool comes out? If yes, on a scale of 1-10, how bad is the pain? Do you have hemorrhoids?
Patient
No, I don't feel any pain when the stool comes out. I haven't been diagnosed with hemorrhoids, so I'm not sure if I have them.
Triage Assistant
Are the stools hard?
Patient
Yes, they're usually quite hard.
Triage Assistant
Has there been any blood on the toilet tissue or on the surface of the bowel movements? If yes, when was the last time you noticed it?
Patient
Yes, there has been blood on the toilet tissue. I last noticed it today.
Triage Assistant
Is this a new problem for you, or have you had issues with constipation before? If not new, how long have you had this problem?
Patient
This is a relatively new problem for me. It started happening about a month ago.
Triage Assistant
Have there been any recent changes in your diet or how much fluids you are drinking daily? How much have you had to drink today?
Patient
I haven't made any significant changes to my diet, and I usually drink about 6-8 glasses of water a day. Today, I've had about 5 glasses so far.
Triage Assistant
Have you been taking any new medicines or narcotic pain medicines recently?
See More Appropriate Protocol
Go to ED/UCC Now (or to Office With PCP Approval)
Go to Office Now
See in Office Today
See in Office Within 3 Days
See in Office Within 2 Weeks
Home Care
Triage result should be See in Office Within 2 Weeks.
First aid advice was given.
Some assessment questions asked.