A 5-year-old child was diagnosed with encopresis. Which assessment finding would the nurse expect associated with this diagnosis? The child:
a. frequently smears feces on clothing and toys.
b. experiences frequent nocturnal episodes of bedwetting.
c. has accidents of defecation at kindergarten three times a week.
d. has occasional episodes of voiding accidents at the day care center.
Answer: C
Encopresis refers to unsuccessful bowel control. Bowel control is expected by age 5, so frequent involuntary defecation is associated with this diagnosis.