Deck 61: Pharmacotherapy of Bowel Disorders and Other Gastrointestinal Conditions

Question 1

Which of the following is true of the bulk-type laxative drugs? Select all that apply.
1)The prototype is milk of magnesia.
2)They are contraindicated when the client has undiagnosed abdominal pain, suspected intestinal obstruction, or fecal impaction.
3)They must be taken with plenty of water, or they can cause an esophageal obstruction.
4)They work immediately after consumption.

Answer 1

1, 2, 3

Question 2

Which of the following is true regarding the prevention and treatment of nausea and vomiting?
1)Antihistamines and anticholinergic drugs may be used to treat nausea and vomiting due to motion sickness.
2)Medications used to treat nausea and vomiting are only available via prescription.
3)An antiemetic drug is indicated if the client has ingested a poisonous substance or taken an overdose of an oral medication.
4)Antiemetic drugs can be used throughout pregnancy.

Answer 2

1

Question 3

Which of the following is true of the use of bulk-forming laxatives?
1)They should be used liberally by any client who has difficulty having regular bowel movements.
2)They are indicated for the relief of bowel obstruction.
3)They should be used when the client has diarrhea caused by an infection.
4)They work to increase the frequency and quality of bowel movements.

Answer 3

4

Question 4

Which drugs would most likely be used to treat irritable bowel syndrome? Select all that apply.
1)Saline cathartics
2)Sulfasalazine
3)Antispasmodics
4)Immunosuppressive agents

Question 5

The client has been diagnosed as hyperemesis gravidarum.When would you expect the physician to prescribe antiemetics?
1)Upon diagnosis
2)After the pregnancy is terminated
3)After determining that other anti-nausea methods have been ineffective
4)If the client is troubled by the symptoms

Question 6

The nurse knows that the client is experiencing constipation when the client makes which of the following statements?
1)"I haven't had a bowel movement today, but I had one yesterday."
2)"I have been having trouble with pain, bloating, and gas.My last bowel movement was four days ago."
3)"I have only had a bowel movement every other day for the past week."
4)"I feel like I am constipated.Please give me a laxative."

Question 7

The student nurse correctly explains to the client the origin of her constipation when the student nurse says:
1)"Ordinarily, fluid is absorbed in your large intestine as it travels through.If the stool stays in the large intestine too long, too much water is absorbed, which will cause your stool to be small, hard, and difficult to pass without straining."
2)"If the waste material passes through the colon too quickly, excess fluids are not absorbed, and the result is a watery stool."
3)"Constipation is usually caused by infection."
4)"If you would use the laxatives daily, you would not have a problem with constipation."

Question 8

Categories of drugs used to treat inflammatory bowel disease include which of the following?
1)5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA)agents, immunosuppressive agents, and biologic therapies
2)Symptom-targeted therapy, antidepressants, and antianxiety drugs
3)antispasmodics, serotonin agents, and biologic therapies
4)5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA)agents, symptom-targeted therapy, and antianxiety agents

Question 9

Which of the following is the definition of constipation used by health care providers?
1)It is a decrease in the frequency of bowel movements.
2)It is defined as fewer than one bowel movement every three days.
3)It is defined as two bowel movements or fewer per week.
4)It is defined as lumpy, hard stools at least 25% of the time.

Question 10

Which of the following types of laxative have, as their mechanism of action, causing water and fat to be absorbed into the stools, thereby softening the stool?
1)Bulk-forming laxatives
2)Stimulant laxatives
3)Surfactant laxatives
4)Saline cathartics

Question 11

Which condition can cause pancreatic enzyme deficiency, which would be an indication for the use of pancreatic enzyme replacement?
1)Pregnancy
2)Constipation
3)Chronic pancreatitis
4)Hyperuricemia

Question 12

When implementing nursing care, which of the following should be included when teaching the client and family about laxative use?
1)Laxatives are never harmful, because they are available over the counter, and should be used anytime the client feels the need to have a bowel movement.
2)Dependence on laxatives can cause constipation.
3)Stool softeners are appropriately used to treat constipation.
4)A side effect of stool softeners is abdominal cramping.

Question 13

Which of the following are important for the nurse to teach the client and family when the client is being treated with sulfasalazine for IBD? Select all that apply.
1)The fluid intake should be 2-3 liters per day to avoid crystal formation in the urine.
2)The medication can color urine and skin orange-yellow.
3)It is important to avoid prolonged skin exposure, because the skin might be sensitive.
4)The drug should not be taken for longer than 12 weeks, unless recommended by the health care provider.

Question 14

A client who is hospitalized has an order for a laxative as needed for constipation.To which client would the nurse expect to administer a laxative?
1)A client who has daily bowel movements that are formed
2)A client who did not have a bowel movement today, but had one yesterday
3)A client who had a bowel movement yesterday and one the day before but not yet today
4)A client who has not had a bowel movement in 4 days

Question 15

A client with severe diarrhea asks the nurse why so much water is being expelled with each bowel movement.The nurse correctly states that:
1)The intestines are not reabsorbing sufficient fluids.
2)The peristalsis is too slow.
3)The intestines are absorbing too much fluid.
4)The client needs to take a laxative at this time.

Question 16

The student nurse demonstrates knowledge of the different mechanisms of action of laxatives when the student nurse states:
1)"My client should consume plenty of water, since he is taking a bulk-forming laxative."
2)"My client should expect to have a delayed reaction to a saline cathartic."
3)"My client should be encouraged to use a stimulant laxative whenever he feels the need to have a bowel movement."
4)"My client should not strain when having a bowel movement, and so the physician likely will prescribe a bulk-forming laxative."

Question 17

Which of the following would be a primary indication for the use of an antiemetic medication?
1)Constipation
2)Diarrhea that is accompanied by severe abdominal cramping
3)Nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy
4)Morning sickness in pregnancy

Question 18

Which of the following is true regarding the use of pancreatic enzyme replacement in the pharmacotherapy of pancreatitis?
1)Its use is indicated when lack of pancreatic enzyme secretion causes malabsorption disorders.
2)Its use is indicated when the client has acute pancreatitis.
3)Its use is contraindicated when the client has cystic fibrosis.
4)Its use is contraindicated when the client has pain in the abdomen.

Question 19

Which of the following would be a contraindication to pancreatic enzyme replacement?
1)Clients with allergy to pork
2)Clients with steatorrhea (the passing of bulky, foul-smelling, fatty stools)
3)Clients with chronic pancreatitis
4)Clients with cystic fibrosis

Question 20

The student nurse demonstrates an understanding of the different mechanisms of action of laxatives when the student nurse states:
1)"Stimulant laxatives must be taken with plenty of water."
2)"Surfactant laxatives cause water and fat to be absorbed into the stools."
3)"Bulk-forming laxatives are also called osmotic laxatives."
4)"Mineral oil can interfere with the absorption of water-soluble vitamins."

Question 21

Which of the following is a priority assessment for the nurse to make immediately after administering a bulk-forming laxative?
1)The time of the client's last bowel movement
2)If the client has retrosternal pain after taking the drug
3)If the client is allergic to any medications
4)If the client is taking other medications