Arizona Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Practice Test

When are residents most likely to feel the urge to have a bowel movement?

1. During sleep

2. After exercising

3. After eating a meal

4. In the morning

The correct answer is: After eating a meal

Residents are most likely to feel the urge to have a bowel movement after eating a meal due to a physiological response known as the gastrocolic reflex. This reflex is triggered when food enters the stomach and stimulates the colon, prompting it to contract and thus promoting the urge to defecate. This is a natural part of the digestive process as the body prepares to expel waste. While other options may have some influence on bowel movements, they do not typically trigger the urge as consistently as eating does. For example, during sleep, the bowel is usually less active, and while some individuals might experience the urge in the morning due to habitual patterns or a full bowel, this is not universally applicable. Exercise can improve overall gut motility, but the direct urge is most commonly associated with eating.