Constipation and fecal impaction
Risk factors : immobility, low fluid and fibre intake, opioids, anticholinergics, iron, calcium channel blockers, ignoring the urge, lack of privacy.. Warning sign : small liquid stools after several days without a bowel movement. This is overflow diarrhea around an impaction, not gastroenteritis. Assess the abdomen and perform a rectal examination. An antidiarrheal would make it worse. An unrecognized impaction can cause delirium, agitation, urinary retention and vomiting.