Deck 16: Gastrointestinal Medications

Question 1

An elderly patient comes into the clinic.The nurse notes on her routine clinic-visit questionnaire that she has checked frequent use of a stimulant laxative.The nurse should pay close attention to which laboratory value for this patient?

A) Vitamin C level
B) Phosphorus level
C) Vitamin B12 level
D) Potassium level

Answer 1

Potassium level

Question 2

An older patient has been diagnosed with having laxative dependency due to chronic laxative use.The nurse plans to educate the patient on nonpharmacologic measures to prevent constipation.What should the nurse's education plan include?

A) Increase bed rest.
B) Monthly exercise.
C) Increase fluid intake to 6 to 8 glasses of water daily.
D) Take only one laxative a week.

Answer 2

Increase fluid intake to 6 to 8 glasses of water daily.

Question 3

The nurse is giving discharge instructions to a patient who will be taking an antacid for gastric problems.Which responses are correct about antacids? (Select all that apply.)

A) Antacids must be taken with a lower fiber diet.
B) Antacids should be taken at bedtime.
C) Antacids serve as a gastric buffer.
D) Antacids must be taken between meals.
E) Antacids must be taken with food.

Answer 3

Antacids should be taken at bedtime.
Antacids serve as a gastric buffer.
Antacids must be taken between meals.

Question 4

A patient complains of constipation.Which high-fiber foods would the nurse instruct the patient to add to his diet? (Select all that apply.)

A) Apple juice
B) Oranges
C) Bran cereals
D) Figs
E) Kiwi

Question 5

A patient complains to her physician of abdominal bloating and discomfort.She is a known alcoholic and has been treated recently for pancreatitis.Which medications may be used to reduce abdominal discomfort resulting from intestinal spasm,increased motility,and acid production?

A) Antiflatulents and antiemetics
B) Antispasmodics and anticholinergics
C) Anticholinergics and histamine H2 antagonists
D) Antacids and chenodiol

Question 6

A patient who has had gallbladder surgery finds that in the postoperative period she is bothered by an excess of intestinal gas,producing flatus and bloating.Which would be an appropriate medication for this symptom?

A) Syrup of ipecac
B) Chenodiol
C) Simethicone
D) Disulfiram

Question 7

A young female patient is diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome and is in an acute phase.She is placed on Sal-Tropine (atropine sulfate)at the maximum dose.The patient will best benefit from this medication because of which reason?

A) It is most effective and has fewer side effects.
B) The actions of this medication give short-term relief.
C) This medication is easy to administer.
D) This drug does not cause dryness of the mouth.

Question 8

A patient is admitted to the hospital inpatient treatment unit for alcohol intoxication.After 2 days without alcohol,he is medically stable enough to begin therapy.He begins individual therapy and group sessions with Alcoholics Anonymous.Prior to discharge,the nurse anticipates the physician might also start him on which medication?

A) Simethicone
B) Disulfiram
C) Metamucil
D) Milk of magnesia

Question 9

A patient comes into the clinic complaining of severe abdominal pain that occurs approximately 45 to 60 minutes after eating.The pain also wakes him up at night.When he eats or drinks some milk,he feels better.When he eats Mexican food or drinks alcohol,it feels worse.The physician plans to order some x-ray films.Before the tests are completed,the nurse anticipates the physician will probably ask the patient to take which medication?

A) An antiflatulent
B) An anticholinergic
C) An antacid
D) Disulfiram

Question 10

A patient with gastritis asks why the physician put her on an antacid when she has already been eating well.Which would be the best response made by the nurse? (Select all that apply.)

A) "Antacids are used to neutralize the acidity in your stomach between meals."
B) "Although food helps to reduce discomfort by buffering your stomach acid, the antacids will help to neutralize the acid and reduce your pain."
C) "All medications should be taken with an antacid."
D) "Antacids are also used to treat constipation."
E) "Antacids will help you digest your food."

Question 11

The physician orders an antacid for a patient diagnosed with functional dyspepsia.Which other types of medication may be ordered in conjunction with the antacid to treat this patient for stomach discomfort after eating?

A) Antiflatulent
B) Antidiarrheal
C) Anticholinergic
D) Bulk-forming laxative

Question 12

A patient on disulfiram should be cautioned to avoid ingesting alcohol used as an ingredient in certain preparations.Which product has hidden alcohol?

A) Cough syrup
B) Chocolate candy
C) Fruit smoothies
D) Lifesavers

Question 13

A 47-year-old patient has been diagnosed with cholesterol gallstones.She has had increased abdominal pain following fatty meals for the past few weeks.The physician orders an x-ray examination,which reveals radiolucent cholesterol gallstones.What should the nurse anticipate the physician will do next?

A) Start the patient on chenodiol to dissolve the stones.
B) Do nothing; the pain will disappear.
C) Schedule the patient for emergency surgery.
D) Help the patient plan a low-fat diet and schedule her for surgery if the abdominal pain continues.

Question 14

An alcoholic patient comes to the emergency department after drinking a beer.He has complaints of severe diarrhea,nausea,and vomiting.Which drug would produce this kind of reaction in the patient?

A) Cephulac (Lactulose)
B) Bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
C) Disulfiram (Antabuse)
D) Glycerin (Colace)

Question 15

One of the nurse's older adult patients is abusing laxatives.Which would be an appropriate intervention for this patient to help reduce this chronic laxative use and dependency?

A) Advise the patient to take a laxative once weekly.
B) Stop the patient from taking any laxatives.
C) Have the patient take an enema instead of a laxative.
D) Have the patient drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day.

Question 16

The nurse is instructing an elderly patient about the use of bisacodyl enteric-coated tablets for the treatment of constipation.Which response is true about this medication?

A) This medication can be chewed.
B) It is easily crushed for persons unable to swallow.
C) It should not be taken with milk.
D) Antacid will help the medication to be digested better.

Question 17

A patient recovering from alcoholism has been taking disulfiram for a week.On a return visit to the clinic,the patient tells the nurse that he is experiencing flushing and warming of the face.What may be causing this reaction?

A) The patient may be allergic to the medication.
B) The patient may be putting too much salt in his diet.
C) The patient may still have alcohol in his system.
D) The patient may have no alcohol in his system.

Question 18

The nurse is preparing to administer a saline laxative with a patient who has been constipated for 4 days.Which is the priority task to be completed by the nurse first?

A) Palpate the abdomen.
B) Ask the patient to recall his or her last meal.
C) Assess for bowel sounds.
D) Assess the patient's respiratory rate.

Question 19

A patient is diagnosed as having a duodenal ulcer.Which medication does the nurse anticipate the physician will order?

A) Maalox
B) Gelusil
C) Milk of magnesia
D) Protonix

Question 20

A frail 67-year-old nursing-home patient is brought to the clinic for a barium enema.For the next few days following the procedure,he fails to have any bowel movements.The nurse anticipates the physician will probably order which treatment?

A) Saline laxative
B) Antispasmodic to increase peristalsis
C) Emetic to relieve pressure
D) Stool softener

Question 21

Which are classified as one of the five major categories of laxatives? (Select all that apply.)

A) Bulk-forming agents
B) Lubricants
C) Saline solutions
D) Antispasmodics
E) Fecal softeners