Assessment and care of a pediatric client with constipationHinds Community College, Nursing Allied Health CenterAssessment and care of a pediatric client with constipationConstipation is a topic that many people may feel about uncomfortable to talk about, but this anomaly could have unwanted side effects. Brunner and Suddarth define constipation as “an abnormal infrequency or irregularity of defecation, an abnormal hardening of the stool that makes passing it difficult and sometimes painful, a decrease in the volume of the stool, or retention of stool in the rectum for a prolonged period often with a sense of incomplete evacuation after defecation” (Smeltzer, Bare, Hinkle and Cheever, 2010, 1068). Parents usually do not consider the importance of monitoring their children's bowel habits unless the child is very young and still in diapers. Because of the complications and discomfort associated with constipation, it is important that the nurse not only educates parents about the signs and symptoms of constipation but also attempts to involve the child in managing or reversing constipation. Globally from zero point three to it is documented that 28% of children suffer from constipation (Rogers, 2012, p. 47). Due to cases of encopresis, a child's condition often becomes worse than when constipation occurs in adults. It is common to have hard, painful stools to overcome with constipation, and with this pain there is a correlation between bowel movements and pain in a child's mind (Rogers, 2012, p. 46). Early detection and correct diagnosis by a healthcare provider are the key to reversing acute constipation before chronic constipation develops (Rogers, 2012, p. 47). T...... half of the article..... .evaluation or fear. Managing constipation is also key to preventing chronic constipation. Parents should be well informed of the importance of follow-up. Early reversal of constipation is the best and most desirable way to avoid the trouble of chronic constipation. Open communication between parent and child is the best initial defense. References Greenwald, B. J. (2010). Clinical practice guidelines for pediatric constipation. Journal of the American Academy of Nurses, 22(7), 332-338. doi:10.1111/j.1745-7599.2010.00517.xRogers, J. (2012). Evaluation, prevention and treatment of constipation in children. Nursing Standards, 26(29), 46-52. Smeltzer, S. C., Bare, B. G., Hinkle, J. L., & Cheever, K. H. (2010). Textbook of medical-surgical nursing by Brunner & Suddarth (12th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.