Question 1

When the nurse assesses bowel habits in a patient,which is the best example of normal bowel elimination?&#10;A) Daily bowel movements&#10;B) Multiple soft stools daily&#10;C) Daily liquid stools&#10;D) Regular bowel elimination pattern of soft stool

Accepted Answer

Regular bowel elimination pattern of soft stool is the best example of normal bowel elimination. Daily bowel movements are not necessary for everyone and may not be normal for some individuals. Multiple soft stools daily and daily liquid stools may indicate diarrhea or other gastrointestinal issues.

Question 2

A patient is receiving morphine for pain control.What will the nurse emphasize about preventing constipation?&#10;A) Adequate hydration consists of four full glasses of water every day.&#10;B) Laxatives should be given on a daily basis.&#10;C) Stool softeners are taken on a regular basis during opioid use.&#10;D) Enemas should be given on a weekly basis.

Accepted Answer

Stool softeners are recommended for patients receiving opioids to prevent constipation. Laxatives should not be given on a routine basis as they can cause dependence and worsen bowel function in the long run. Hydration is important but the specific amount of water needed may vary for each patient. Enemas are not typically necessary unless other measures have failed.

Question 3

Which instruction will the nurse include in the discharge teaching of a patient taking psyllium?&#10;A) &#34;Administer with a full glass of water.&#34;&#10;B) &#34;Limit the intake of high-fiber foods.&#34;&#10;C) &#34;Avoid mixing in juice.&#34;&#10;D) &#34;Fat-soluble vitamin deficiency is common.&#34;

Accepted Answer

Psyllium should be taken with a full glass of water to prevent it from swelling and obstructing the esophagus or gastrointestinal tract. It is also important to increase fluid intake throughout the day to help prevent constipation. Limiting high-fiber foods or mixing psyllium in juice is not necessary. Fat-soluble vitamin deficiency is not associated with psyllium use.

Question 4

The nurse is caring for a patient receiving palliative care with opioid-induced constipation.Laxative therapy has been unsuccessful in treating this patient.Which PRN medication should the nurse provide to best alleviate this type of constipation?

A) Methylnaltrexone
B) Bisacodyl
C) Mineral oil
D) Docusate

Accepted Answer

Methylnaltrexone is specifically designed to alleviate opioid-induced constipation by blocking the constipating effects of opioid medications in the gut without interfering with pain relief. Bisacodyl, mineral oil, and docusate are not as effective in treating this type of constipation.

Question 5

A patient who has had a myocardial infarction is advised to avoid straining with defecation.Which medication would be prescribed to this patient?&#10;A) Stool softeners&#10;B) Bulk-forming laxatives&#10;C) Stimulants&#10;D) Emollients

Accepted Answer

Stool softeners (such as docusate sodium) are the preferred type of laxative for patients who have had a myocardial infarction and are advised to avoid straining with defecation. This is because stool softeners work by helping to make stools easier to pass by adding moisture to them, rather than by stimulating bowel movements, which could cause straining. This reduces the risk of strain and possible complications such as increased blood pressure, heart rate, and risk of another heart attack.

Question 6

Which sign(s)and symptom(s)is/are consistent with dehydration? (Select all that apply.)&#10;A) Increased hemoglobin and hematocrit&#10;B) Decreased urine specific gravity&#10;C) Mental confusion and excessive thirst&#10;D) Periorbital edema and increased blood pressure&#10;E) Nonelastic skin turgor and delayed capillary filling

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which sign(s)and symptom(s)is/are consistent with dehydration? (Select...

Question 7

A friend reports using loperamide (Imodium)for continual diarrhea for a week since returning home from a vacation outside the country.Which is the nurse's best response?&#10;A) &#34;There are some other over-the-counter products available for diarrhea,such as Kaopectate (bismuth subsalicylate).&#34;&#10;B) &#34;I'd stop taking the Imodium and go in to see a healthcare provider immediately.You may have an infection in your intestinal tract.&#34;&#10;C) &#34;If you're not running a temperature,I wouldn't worry.That happens to many people when they travel.&#34;&#10;D) &#34;As long as you can drink plenty of fluids,I'm sure the diarrhea will go away once you're back in a normal routine.&#34;

Accepted Answer

Continual diarrhea for a week after returning from a vacation outside the country could indicate an infection in the intestinal tract. The nurse should advise the friend to stop taking Imodium and seek medical attention immediately.

Question 8

Which instruction by the nurse will assist in the patient's understanding of lactulose,an osmotic laxative?&#10;A) &#34;This medication draws water into the intestine and stimulates defecation.&#34;&#10;B) &#34;There is increased irritability directly on the intestinal wall.&#34;&#10;C) &#34;There is lubrication of the intestinal wall that softens the stool.&#34;&#10;D) &#34;There is an effect on the nerves to increase the peristalsis of the intestinal smooth muscle.&#34;

Accepted Answer

Lactulose is an osmotic laxative that works by drawing water into the intestine and stimulating defecation. This helps to soften the stool and promote bowel movements. Option B is incorrect as increased irritability is not a mechanism of action of lactulose. Option C is incorrect as there is no lubrication involved. Option D is also incorrect as lactulose does not directly affect the nerves to increase peristalsis.

Question 9

Which effect will the nurse expect when a patient is taking psyllium while on digoxin?&#10;A) Decreased effectiveness of the laxative&#10;B) Increased laxative effect&#10;C) Increased absorption of the digoxin&#10;D) Decreased absorption of the digoxin

Accepted Answer

Psyllium can decrease the absorption of digoxin, potentially decreasing the effectiveness of the medication. It is important to separate the administration of psyllium and digoxin by at least 2 hours to minimize this interaction.

Question 10

Which drug would be most effective for an obstetric patient who is complaining of constipation as a result of her enlarging uterus and use of prenatal vitamins?&#10;A) Saline laxative&#10;B) Lubricant laxative&#10;C) Stimulant laxative&#10;D) Mineral oil

Accepted Answer

Lubricant laxatives (such as mineral oil) and saline laxatives can interfere with the absorption of nutrients, which may be particularly concerning for pregnant women. Stimulant laxatives should be used with caution as they can cause uterine contractions. Therefore, the best choice for an obstetric patient complaining of constipation due to pregnancy and prenatal vitamin use would be a lubricant laxative, such as docusate sodium.

Question 11

The nurse is assessing a patient with constipation.Which situation(s)would cause constipation? (Select all that apply.)&#10;A) Diet low in fiber and/or residue&#10;B) Excessive fluid intake&#10;C) Diet low in cheese and yogurt&#10;D) Iron supplements&#10;E) Use of morphine

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is assessing a patient with...

Question 12

Which treatment(s)would be considered safe for an infant? (Select all that apply.)&#10;A) Saline laxatives&#10;B) Bulk-forming laxatives&#10;C) Malt soup extract&#10;D) Stimulant laxatives

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which treatment(s)would be considered safe for an...

Question 13

Which symptom is the patient with a lactase deficiency most likely to exhibit?&#10;A) Constipation&#10;B) Excessive salivation&#10;C) Diarrhea&#10;D) Vomiting

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which symptom is the patient with a...

Question 14

Which is the laxative of choice for an older patient who is in the end stage of Alzheimer's disease and requires a daily laxative?&#10;A) Emollient&#10;B) Stimulant&#10;C) Fecal softener&#10;D) Bulk forming

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which is the laxative of choice for...

Question 15

The nurse is performing a premedication assessment.For which patient would laxative use be contraindicated?&#10;A) Patient with quadriplegia&#10;B) Patient with appendicitis&#10;C) Geriatric patient&#10;D) Patient with fractured femur

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is performing a premedication assessment.For...

Question 16

The nurse is assessing a patient taking lactulose to treat chronic constipation.Which adverse effect should the nurse immediately report to the healthcare provider?&#10;A) Nausea&#10;B) Abdominal spasms&#10;C) Flatulence&#10;D) Abdominal tenderness

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is assessing a patient taking...

Question 17

An older adult is admitted through the emergency department with complaints of nausea,abdominal tenderness,and continual stooling.On assessment,the nurse notes abdominal distention,smearing of stool on undergarments,and hypoactive bowel sounds LUQ and LLQ.The patient is unable to determine when the last bowel movement was.What is the nurse's priority assessment?

A) Signs and symptoms of an infection
B) An impaction
C) A pattern of laxative abuse
D) History of GI disease

Accepted Answer

The answer of An older adult is admitted through the...

Question 18

The nurse in a long-term care facility is preparing to pass medications to the residents.To which of the following residents should the nurse administer an antidiarrheal? (Select all that apply.)&#10;A) An 80-year-old woman with diarrhea of sudden onset that has lasted 3 days&#10;B) A 76-year-old man with infectious diarrhea&#10;C) A 92-year-old man with diarrhea secondary to inflammatory bowel disease&#10;D) A 70-year-old woman with a history of chronic diarrhea from GI surgery&#10;E) An 88-year-old man that has had two episodes of stress-induced diarrhea

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse in a long-term care facility...

Question 19

What is the mechanism of action of a stimulant laxative?&#10;A) Draws water into the bowel to facilitate the passage of feces.&#10;B) Lubricates the intestinal wall and softens stool.&#10;C) Increases bulk and stimulates peristalsis.&#10;D) Irritates the intestine directly,promoting peristalsis and evacuation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the mechanism of action of...

Deck 34: Drugs Used to Treat Constipation and Diarrhea