Deck 53: Antidiarrheal Drugs and Laxatives

Question 1

Which class of laxatives is most likely to cause dependence if overused?

A)Emollient laxatives
B)Bulk-forming laxatives
C)Hyperosmotic laxatives
D)Stimulant laxatives

Answer 1

Stimulant laxatives

Question 2

Mineral oil can interfere with the absorption of which vitamin?

A)Vitamin A
B)Vitamin B₂
C)Vitamin B₁₂
D)Vitamin C

Answer 2

Vitamin A

Question 3

A patient is on laxative therapy.What important information should the nurse tell the patient about this therapy?

A)Crush all laxative tablets for improved action.
B)Bisacodyl and cascara sagrada should be given with water only.
C)A normal bowel pattern is when a bowel movement occurs daily.
D)Psyllium (Metamucil Preparations)can be mixed in food,such as applesauce,or stirred into fruit juice.

Answer 3

Bisacodyl and cascara sagrada should be given with water only.

Question 4

A patient is taking an adsorbent,such as bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol).What possible adverse effects should the nurse warn this patient about?

A)Darkened stools
B)Urinary hesitancy
C)Drowsiness
D)Blurred vision

Question 5

Which of the following is a major difference between diphenoxylate with atropine (Lomotil)and loperamide (Imodium)?

A)Lomotil acts faster.
B)Loperamide does not cause dependence.
C)Lomotil is available as a parenteral form.
D)Loperamide is a natural antidiarrheal drug.

Question 6

What classification is the laxative glycerin (Glycerin Suppositories)?

A)A saline laxative
B)An emollient laxative
C)A hyperosmotic laxative
D)A stimulant/irritant laxative

Question 7

Methylcellulose (Entrocel solution),a bulk-forming laxative,should be administered with at least how much water to avoid possible obstruction?

A)100 mL
B)125 mL
C)250 mL
D)375 mL

Question 8

While recovering from surgery,a 74-year-old woman started taking senna (Senokot)to relieve constipation caused by the pain medications.She is also taking digoxin (Lanoxin)and tetracycline.She tells the nurse that she likes how "regular" her bowel movements are now that she is taking the laxative.What important information should the nurse teach this patient?

A)Use of a stimulant laxative will not affect the absorption of her other medications.
B)It is important to have a daily bowel movement to promote bowel health.
C)Long-term use of laxatives often results in decreased bowel tone and may lead to dependency.
D)She should switch to glycerin suppositories to continue having daily bowel movements.

Question 9

The nurse advises a patient to try bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)to control his diarrhea.Which of the following medications will interact significantly with the Pepto-Bismol?

A)digoxin (Lanoxin)
B)Antacids
C)acetaminophen (Tylenol)
D)tricyclic antidepressants

Question 10

Which drug is commonly used before diagnostic or surgical bowel procedures to induce total cleansing of the bowel?

A)polyethylene glycol (Klean-Prep)
B)lactulose
C)mineral oil (Lansoÿl)
D)Milk of magnesia

Question 11

When considering the uses for laxatives,which of the following conditions are general contraindications to the use of oral laxatives? Select all that apply.

A)High ammonia levels due to liver failure
B)The presence of parasites and intestinal worms
C)Abdominal pain of unknown origin
D)Nausea and vomiting
E)Pregnancy
F)Ingestion of toxic substances
G)Acute surgical abdomen

Question 12

Which type of antidiarrheal medication works by decreasing the intestinal muscle tone and peristalsis of the intestines?

A)Adsorbents
B)Anticholinergics
C)Intestinal flora modifiers
D)Lubricants

Question 13

A patient who has been on antibiotic therapy for 2 weeks has developed persistent diarrhea.Which of the following drugs will likely be recommended for this patient?

A)Mineral oil
B)An adsorbent,such as Pepto-Bismol
C)An anticholinergic, such as belladonna alkaloids
D)An intestinal flora modifier,such as Lacidofil