What condition should the nurse expect in a patient with symptoms of weakness, numbness in the feet, and loss of bowel control?

In a patient presenting with weakness, numbness in the feet, and loss of bowel control, spinal cord compression is a likely condition to consider. Spinal cord compression can occur due to various underlying issues such as tumors, traumatic injury, or degenerative diseases that put pressure on the spinal cord. This pressure can disrupt normal nervous system function, leading to a variety of neurological symptoms.

The weakness experienced may suggest that motor pathways are being affected, while the numbness in the feet could indicate damage to sensory pathways. The loss of bowel control points toward more serious involvement, potentially implicating the lower spinal cord where nerves responsible for bowel function are located.

Therefore, when evaluating these specific symptoms, spinal cord compression stands out as the condition that can jointly cause both peripheral neurological symptoms and disruption of autonomic function, such as bowel control issues.