Patient was educated on bulk laxatives and their mechanism of action as follows:

1. Bulk laxatives when taken, are not digested in the stomach and are passed into the intestines.
2. In the intestines, they absorb water and swell to form bulky stool.
3. More fluid in the stool makes the stool soft.
4. The soft and bulky stool formed in the intestines will induce stimulation of the intestines to move and help to mobilize the contents of the intestines at a faster pace.
5. The bulk in the stool with retained fluid makes it easy to pass the stool.
6. These laxatives are considerably slow to act in comparison with other varieties of laxatives. Allow 1 – 3 days before having a bowel movement, after taking bulk laxatives.
7. Fiber in the diet is the natural bulk laxative, helping to improve the ease of a bowel movement.