Constipation

Last Reviewed:

What You’ll Learn

  1. Describe the impact of constipation on quality of life for the patient with serious illness
  2. Identify best practices to assess and diagnose constipation in the patient with serious illness
  3. Explain the relationship between opioids and constipation
  4. Develop strategies to reduce the physical and emotional suffering caused by constipation

What You’ll Earn

After completing the course, you’ll earn a Verification of Attendance certificate.

Only CAPC members who are logged in can earn the following free Continuing Education Credits:

  • Case Management: 1.00 CE
  • Medicine: 0.75 CME, 0.75 ABIM MOC (Medical Knowledge Only)
  • Nursing: 1.00 CNE, 0.60 Pharmacotherapy
  • Social Work: 1.00 CE (NYSED)
  • Social Work: 1.00 CE (NASW)

A CAPC Member? Login now.

Not sure if your organization is a CAPC member? Check here. If your organization is a member, you can create a free account to take this course and earn CE credits.

View Accrediting Bodies

This course is open-to-all at no cost.

Start
1

Take the course

2

Download your certificate

Tools & Resources

Commonly Prescribed Laxatives
Last Updated:

Medications and dosing guidance for stimulant and osmotic laxatives. Center to Advance Palliative Care, 2017.

download
Symptom Management Glossary
Last Updated:

Key terms related to symptom management. Center to Advance Palliative Care, 2017.

download
Course References: Constipation
Last Updated:

Course citations. Center to Advance Palliative Care, 2015.

download
Opioid Risk Tool (ORT)
Last Updated:

Validated 5-question assessment tool designed to predict which patients are at risk for opioid substance use disorder.

view
Fast Fact #15: Constipation
Last Updated:

Mechanisms of constipation and best approaches to treatment.

view
Fast Fact #294: Opioid Induced Constipation Part 1: Established Management Strategies
Last Updated:

Non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic approaches to managing opioid-induced constipation.

view
Fast Fact #295: Opioid Induced Constipation Part II: Newer Therapies
Last Updated:

Treating opioid-induced constipation, including how and when to use newer therapies.

view

Course Directors

Drew Rosielle, MD, FAAHPM. Palliative Care, Fairview Health Services, University of Minnesota Medical School.

Lolita Melhado, MSN, ARNP, FNP-BC. Family Nurse Practitioner/Palliative Care, Gulf Coast Medical Center - Lee Memorial Health System.

Philip Higgins, PhD, LICSW. President, Lighthouse Counseling of Salem, Inc.

Amy Case, MD, FAAHPM. Associate Professor of Oncology, Chair, Department of Supportive Care.*

Melissa Bakar, MD. Assistant Professor, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.*

Linda Pang, MD. Fellow, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

*indicates ABIM Peer Reviewer

Contact information: For technical questions about online activity or continuing education credits, contact membership@capc.org or 212-201-2674.

Provided by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

The Courses

Available to non-members
Nausea and Vomiting

Identifying and managing nausea and vomiting for patients living with serious illness and their caregivers.

START COURSE
Available to non-members
Dyspnea

Reducing physical and emotional suffering from dyspnea for patients with serious illness.

START COURSE
Available to non-members
Anxiety

Prevalence, screening recommendations, and evidence-based strategies to treat anxiety in patients with serious illness.

START COURSE

View all courses in the unit