A client with chronic fecal incontinence is crying because of being embarrassed for not getting to the bathroom in time to avoid soiling the bed and clothing. When establishing a bowel training regimen, which intervention should the nurse implement?

A. Insert a rectal tube at specified intervals: Rectal tubes are typically used for acute fecal management in hospitalized or critically ill clients to prevent skin breakdown, not for long-term bowel training. Their use does not promote the client’s ability to regain bowel control or establish regular defecation patterns and can be invasive and uncomfortable. B. Encourage the use of incontinence briefs: While incontinence briefs help manage soiling and protect clothing and bedding, they do not address the underlying issue or help the client regain bowel control. Reliance solely on briefs may reinforce passive management rather than active retraining. C. Assist to a bedside commode 30 minutes after meals: Timing bowel movements to coincide with the gastrocolic reflex—usually 20–30 minutes after meals—helps establish a predictable pattern of defecation. Assisting the client to a commode at this time encourages regular bowel habits, supports independence, and reduces embarrassment from incontinence. D. Administer a glycerin suppository 15 minutes after meals: Suppositories can stimulate defecation and may be used initially to prompt bowel movements, but long-term bowel training focuses on voluntary control and routine scheduling. Routine use of suppositories may reduce the client’s ability to respond to natural bowel cues and hinder the establishment of sustainable bowel habits.