Nokea
A patient has been treated with alosetron for severe irritable bowel syndrome for 2 weeks. She calls the clinic and tells the nurse that she has been experiencing constipation for 3 days. The nurse will take which action?
- A. Advise the patient to increase intake of fluids and fiber.
- B. Advise the patient to hold the drug for 2 days.
- C. Instruct the patient to stop taking the drug and to come to the clinic right away to be evaluated.
- D. Instruct the patient to continue the alosetron and to take milk of magnesia for the constipation.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Alosetron must be discontinued immediately if constipation or signs of ischemic colitis occur. The other options are incorrect.
You may also like to solve these questions
A patient will be taking bismuth subsalicylate to control diarrhea. When reviewing the patient's other ordered medications, the nurse recognizes that which medication will interact significantly with this drug?
- A. Acetaminophen, an analgesic
- B. Levothyroxine, a thyroid replacement drug
- C. Warfarin, an anticoagulant
- D. Fluoxetine, an antidepressant
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The oral anticoagulant warfarin is more likely to cause increased bleeding times or bruising when co-administered with adsorbents. This is thought to be because the adsorbents bind to vitamin K, which is needed to make certain clotting factors. Vitamin K is synthesized by the normal bacterial flora in the bowel. The other options are incorrect.
The nurse is giving oral mineral oil as an ordered laxative dose. The nurse will take measures to prevent which potential problem that may occur with mineral oil?
- A. Fecal impaction
- B. Electrolyte imbalances
- C. Lipid pneumonia
- D. Esophageal blockage
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Lipid pneumonia may occur if the oral mineral oil is accidentally aspirated into the respiratory tract. The other options are incorrect.
A patient is severely constipated and needs immediate relief. The nurse knows that which class of laxative will provide the most rapid results?
- A. Bulk-forming laxative, such as psyllium
- B. Stool softener, such as docusate salts
- C. Magnesium hydroxide
- D. Magnesium oxide tablets
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Saline laxatives such as magnesium hydroxide produce a watery stool, usually within 3 to 6 hours of ingestion. Bulk-forming laxatives such as psyllium do not produce a bowel movement rapidly. Stool softeners such as docusate salts do not cause patients to defecate; they simply soften the stool to ease its passage. Magnesium oxide tablets are used as magnesium supplements, not as laxatives.
The nurse is discussing the use of adsorbents such as bismuth subsalicylate with a patient who has diarrhea. The nurse will warn the patient about which possible adverse effects?
- A. Dark stools and blue gums
- B. Urinary hesitancy
- C. Drowsiness and dizziness
- D. Blurred vision and headache
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Dark stools and blue gums are two of the possible adverse effects of bismuth subsalicylate. The other adverse effects listed may occur with the use of other antidiarrheal drugs.
The nurse is reviewing the mechanism of action of antidiarrheal drugs. Which type of antidiarrheal medication works by decreasing the intestinal muscle tone and peristalsis of the intestines?
- A. Adsorbents
- B. Anticholinergics
- C. Probiotics
- D. Lubricants
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Anticholinergic drugs work to slow peristalsis by reducing the rhythmic contractions and the smooth muscle tone of the gastrointestinal tract. The other options are incorrect.