Which of the following produce their laxative effect by direct action on the intestine to increase peristalsis?
- A. Sennosides (Senokot)
- B. Methylcellulose (Citrucel)
- C. Glycerin (Fleet Babylax)
- D. Bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
- E. Lactulose (Chronulac)
Correct Answer: A,D
Rationale: Irritant or stimulant laxatives, like sennosides (Senokot) and bisacodyl (Dulcolax), produce their laxative effect by direct action on the intestine to increase peristalsis. Methylcellulose is a bulk-forming laxative. Glycerin and lactulose are hyperosmolar drugs.
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A nurse is caring for a client with constipation. The physician prescribes cascara sagrada to the client. Which of the following effects should the nurse monitor for in the client after administration of the drug?
- A. Sudden increase in weight
- B. Brownish discoloration of urine
- C. Reduced sperm count
- D. Abdominal pain and cramping
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should monitor for pink-red, red-violet, red-brown, yellow-brown, or black discoloration of urine after administration of cascara sagrada to the client. Reduced sperm count is the adverse effect of sulfasalazine. Abdominal pain and cramping are the adverse effects of olsalazine. Cascara sagrada does not cause a sudden increase in the weight of the client.
The nurse is preparing to administer a laxative that adds bulk and water to the contents of the intestines, thereby stimulating intestinal peristalsis. Which of the following would the nurse be likely to administer?
- A. Docusate (Colace)
- B. Methylcellulose (Citrucel)
- C. Polycarbophil (FiberCon)
- D. Bisacodyl (Docusate)
- E. Lactulose (Chronulac)
Correct Answer: B,C
Rationale: Bulk-producing laxatives, like methylcellulose (Citrucel) and polycarbophil (FiberCon), produce their laxative effect by adding bulk and water to the contents of the intestines, thereby stimulating intestinal peristalsis. Docusate is a stool softener. Bisacodyl is a stimulant laxative. Lactulose is a hyperosmotic agent.
Which of the following drugs used to manage lower gastrointestinal disorders increase the risk of bleeding when administered to clients taking warfarin (Coumadin)?
- A. Mesalamine (Asacol)
- B. Bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
- C. Psyllium (Metamucil)
- D. Polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX)
- E. Olsalazine (Dipentum)
Correct Answer: A,E
Rationale: Aminosalicylates, like mesalamine (Asacol) and olsalazine (Dipentum), can increase the risk of bleeding in clients taking warfarin (Coumadin).
The nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed mesalamine. The client is also taking warfarin. Which of the following interactions should the nurse monitor the client for when he is administered mesalamine with warfarin?
- A. Increased risk of immunosuppression
- B. Increased blood glucose level
- C. Increased risk of bleeding
- D. Increased risk of CNS depression
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The client administered mesalamine and warfarin is at an increased risk of bleeding. Warfarin is an anticoagulant used as a blood thinner; mesalamine is an aminosalicylate, which is an aspirin-like compound with anti-inflammatory action. The combination of mesalamine and warfarin does not increase the risk of immunosuppression, increase the blood glucose level, or increase the risk of CNS depression. There is an increased risk of immunosuppression if an aminosalicylate interacts with methotrexate used in cancer and autoimmune conditions. There is an increased blood glucose level when oral hypoglycemic drugs interact with aminosalicylates. There is an increased risk of CNS depression when opioids are administered with aminosalicylates.
After teaching a group of nursing students about laxatives, the instructor determines that the teaching was successful when the students identify which drug as producing the laxative effect by promoting water retention in the fecal mass and softening the stool?
- A. Docusate sodium (Colace)
- B. Methylcellulose (Citrucel)
- C. Bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
- D. Lactulose (Chronulac)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Stool softeners, like docusate sodium (Colace) and docusate calcium (Surfak), produce their laxative effect by promoting water retention in the fecal mass and softening the stool. Methylcellulose is a bulk-producing laxative. Bisacodyl is a stimulant laxative. Lactulose is a hyperosmolar laxative.
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