Patient
Hi, I'm not feeling well and was hoping to get some advice on a health issue I've been experiencing.
Triage Assistant
Where does it hurt?
Patient
It's not exactly pain, but I have this uncomfortable feeling in my lower abdomen and rectum area.
Triage Assistant
How often do you have a bowel movement (BM)? When was your last BM?
Patient
I usually have a bowel movement once a day, but I haven't been able to pass stool for the last 3 days.
Triage Assistant
Do you have to strain to have a bowel movement?
Patient
Yes, I've been straining quite a bit, but nothing seems to be happening.
Triage Assistant
Do you experience any rectal pain when trying to pass stool? If yes, how would you rate the pain on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being very mild and 10 being the worst possible pain? Do you have hemorrhoids?
Patient
I don't feel any significant rectal pain, so I'd say the pain level is pretty low, maybe a 2. I don't think I have hemorrhoids, at least not that I'm aware of.
Triage Assistant
Are your stools hard when you do manage to have a bowel movement?
Patient
I haven't been able to pass stool for the last few days, so I'm not sure about the current consistency. Before this issue started, my stools were fairly normal.
Triage Assistant
Is this a new problem for you, or have you experienced similar issues before? If yes, how long have you had this current problem?
Patient
This kind of problem is new for me. This current issue has been going on for about 3 days now.
Triage Assistant
Have there been any recent changes in your diet or how much fluid you're drinking? How much fluid are you drinking daily, and how much have you had to drink today?
Patient
I haven't made any significant changes to my diet recently. I try to drink about 8 glasses of water a day, and I'd say I've had around 6 glasses so far today.
Triage Assistant
Have you been taking any new medications recently or any narcotic pain medicines?
Patient
No, I haven't started any new medications recently, and I don't take any narcotic pain medicines.
Triage Assistant
Have you been using any stool softeners, laxatives, or enemas? If yes, what, how often, and when was the last time?
Patient
No, I haven't used any stool softeners, laxatives, or enemas recently. I've just been trying to use a SITZ bath to see if that would help, but it hasn't made a difference so far.
Triage Assistant
How much walking or physical activity do you do each day? Has your activity level decreased in the past week?
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 was accurate.
Incomplete first aid advice given.
Some assessment questions asked.