While recovering from surgery,a 74-year-old woman started taking a stimulant laxative,senna (Senokot),to relieve constipation caused by the pain medications.Two weeks later,at her follow-up appointment,she tells the nurse that she likes how "regular" her bowel movements are now that she is taking the laxative.Which teaching principle is appropriate for this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Long-term use of laxatives often results in decreased bowel tone and may lead to dependency. The patient needs to be educated on the potential risks of taking stimulant laxatives for an extended period of time, including the risk of bowel dependency. It is important to encourage the patient to maintain normal bowel movements through diet and fluids, rather than relying on laxatives. The use of glycerin suppositories may also exacerbate the risk of dependency and it is not recommended as a long-term solution.

While Recovering from Surgery,a 74-Year-Old Woman Started Taking a Stimulant