Impact of a Nurse-Led Educational Intervention on Bowel Movement Recognition and Management in Postoperative Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Patients
Project Abstract
Title: Impact of a Nurse-Led Educational Intervention on Bowel Movement Recognition and Management in Postoperative Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Patients
Background: Postoperative total hip and knee arthroplasty patients are at high risk for constipation due to opioid analgesia, reduced mobility, and perioperative physiological changes. Despite this risk, constipation is often under-recognized in acute care settings, and documentation practices are inconsistent. Inadequate recognition and management may contribute to patient discomfort, delayed recovery, prolonged hospitalization, and increased healthcare utilization.
Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-led educational intervention aimed at improving nursing recognition, documentation, and management of constipation in postoperative orthopedic patients.
Methods: A retrospective pre-post chart review was conducted on a rural orthopedic unit within an acute care hospital. The intervention consisted of a structured nurse-led educational session focusing on constipation risk factors, assessment strategies, documentation standards, and evidence-based bowel management interventions. Data were collected for one month prior to and one month following implementation of the intervention. Outcomes included frequency of bowel movement documentation and administration of bowel management medications.
Results: Following the educational intervention, bowel management medication administration increased from 64.29% pre-intervention to 73.33% post-intervention. Additionally, bowel movement documentation improved from 28.57% to 33.33%. These findings suggest a positive shift in nursing practice related to constipation recognition and management following the educational intervention, although overall documentation rates remained suboptimal.
Conclusion: A nurse-led educational intervention demonstrated measurable improvements in constipation management practices among postoperative total hip and knee arthroplasty patients. These findings support the use of structured nursing education as a feasible and effective strategy to enhance recognition and management of constipation in acute care orthopedic settings. Further efforts should focus on sustaining improvements and integrating standardized bowel management protocols into routine clinical practice.
Conference Details
-Kentucky Association of Nurse Practitioners and Nurse-Midwives
-4/15/2026 to 4/16/2026
-Murray State University, School of Nursing and Health Professions
-https://www.kcnpnm.org/page/conference
Funding Type
Travel Grant
Academic College
School of Nursing and Health Professions
Area/Major/Minor
Nursing
Degree
DNP
Classification
Graduate
Name
Summer Cross, PhD
Academic College
School of Nursing and Health Professions
Recommended Citation
Kauffman, Madelyn T. and Cross, Summer, "Impact of a Nurse-Led Educational Intervention on Bowel Movement Recognition and Management in Postoperative Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Patients" (2026). ORCA Travel & Research Grants. 254.
https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/orcagrants/254
