An osmotic laxative will be prescribed for a client. The nurse understands that which medications are osmotic laxative? Select all that apply
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Solution
Polyethylene glycol and electrolytes (GoLYTELY)., D. Sodium Phosphate (Fleet enema).
Osmotics are used to attract water into the large intestines to produce bulk and stimulate peristalsis. Other osmotic are Magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia) and Magnesium citrate (Citrate of Magnesia).
Options A and E are stimulants.
Option B is a lubricant.
What is the priority nursing intervention for a client receiving an antiemetic?
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Solution
Keep bed in low position with side rails up.
Antiemetics can cause drowsiness; hence the priority nursing intervention is to protect the client from injury such as raising the side rails and keeping the bed in low position.
Option A is not the most priority intervention.
Options B and C will risk the client for fall.
A client with a history of chest pain is admitted to irritable bowel syndrome. As a nurse, which of the following medicines will you least expect to be a part of the medical management?
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Solution
Tegaserod (Zelnorm).
The use of tegaserod is restricted to patients with IBS due to the serious cardiovascular adverse effect that may happen such as heart attack and stroke.
A nurse is giving discharge instructions to a client who is receiving a bulk-forming laxative as part of the home medications. All of which are examples of bulk-forming laxative, except?
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Solution
Docusate Sodium (Colace).
Option A is an example of surfactant laxative.
A nurse is giving medicine instructions to a client with hemorrhoids who is receiving a Mineral oil. Which of the following statements made by the client indicates a further teaching?
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Solution
“I can use mineral oil liquid for an extended period to prevent further damage”.
Mineral oil liquid is a lubricant laxative that works by slowing the absorption of water from the bowel, which softens the stool. The use of mineral oil liquid for a long time may result in loss of normal bowel function.
Options A, B, and C are true regarding mineral oil.
Tincture of opium is given to a patient who is having diarrheal episodes. Which of the following is true regarding this medication?
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Solution
Has an unpleasant taste and can be diluted with 15-30 ml of water.
Opium tincture is an oral liquid medication used to control diarrhea. It has an unpleasant taste so it should be diluted with 15-30 ml of water.
Option A: Opium tincture contains morphine which is a controlled substance.
Option B: Opium tincture should not be used with medications like naltrexone and buprenorphine because they increase sedation and lower beneficial effect of opium tincture.
Option D: It is an antidiarrheal, so a decrease motility and peristalsis is expected.
A client has been prescribed with Sucralfate (Carafate) for the treatment of gastric ulcer. The nurse instruct the client that this medication is taken?
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Solution
1 hour before meals.
Sucralfate is a gastric protective agent. It works by forming a protective layer on the ulcer to serve as a barrier against acid, bile salts, and enzymes in the stomach. Taken by mouth on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
Options B and D are incorrect.
Option C: Do not take an antacid for at least 30 minutes before or after taking sucralfate.
A client is receiving Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Which of the following assessment finding will concern the nurse most?
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Solution
Decreased urine output.
Sulfasalazine is used to treat bowel inflammation, diarrhea (stool frequency), rectal bleeding, and abdominal pain in patients with ulcerative colitis. It is nephrotoxic, so a decrease in urine output is the most serious concern.
Options A, C, and D are also side effects but are less serious.
A nurse is giving a nothing per orem instructions to a malnourished client with diarrhea and frequent abdominal pain episodes which is about to receive a Total Parenteral Nutrition. Which statement made by the nurse is the most appropriate?
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Solution
“It will decrease your diarrhea, and your bowel can rest”.
The priority in this kind of situation is to stop diarrhea and to provide fluids and electrolyte thru the use of TPN. The bowel is rested so that the abdominal cramping will also stop.
A client has been prescribed with Pancrelipase (Pancrease). Which of the following symptoms would prompt the nurse that the medication is having its therapeutic effect if which of the following is noted?
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Solution
Reduction of excess fat in feces.
Pancrelipase is used to help improve food digestion in certain conditions (cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis) where the pancreas is not working properly. This medicine minimizes the amount of steatorrhea (fatty stools).
Options A, B, and C are not related to this medication.