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1.

The nurse teaches the patient to best maintain optimal GI function by including what in
the daily routine?
A) Exercise, adequate sleep, and avoiding caffeine
B) Proper diet, fluid intake, and exercise
C) Proper diet, avoiding alcohol, and cautious use of laxatives
D) Avoiding prescription medications, increased fluid intake, and vigorous exercise
Ans: B
Feedback:
The best way to maintain gastrointestinal (GI) function is through proper diet including
optimizing fiber intake, adequate fluid intake, and exercise, which will stimulate GI
activity. Drugs should only be used when normal function cannot be maintained. Options
A, C, and D are not correct.

2.The nurse admits to the clinic a 7-month-old infant whose mother reports that the baby
has not had a bowel movement in 6 days. What drug would be appropriate to treat this
patient?
A) Cascara (generic)
B) Magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia)
C) Polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution (GoLYTELY)
D) Glycerin (Sani-Supp)
Ans: D
Feedback:
Glycerin suppositories are the best choice for infants and young children when
constipation is a problem. The other choices are not recommended for infants or children.

3.The nurse provides drug teaching to the patient who will begin taking polycarbophil
(FiberCon). What is the nurse's priority teaching point?
A) Do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours after taking the medication.
B) Drink lots of water when taking the drug.
C) Take at night before bedtime.
D) The drug can be taken up to six times per day.
Ans: B
Feedback:
Patients must take plenty of water with polycarbophil. If only a little water is consumed,
the medication may absorb enough fluid in the esophagus to swell the food into a gelatin-
like mass that can cause obstruction and other severe problems. The drug should be taken
no more than four times a day and should not be taken at night.

4.A new mother required an episiotomy during the birth of her baby. Two days after
delivery, the patient is in need of a laxative. What will be the most effective drug for the
nurse to administer?
A) Bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
B) Castor oil (Neolid)
C) Magnesium sulfate (epsom salts)
D) Docusate (Colace)
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Ans: D
Feedback:
Docusate is a stool softener that will make expulsion of stool easier in a traumatized body
area following an episiotomy. Care must be taken to choose a mild laxative that will not
enter breast milk and not affect the newborn if the mother is nursing. Docusate is the drug
of choice from this list because it is mild and will produce a soft stool and decrease the
need to strain. The other options would not be appropriate because they do not soften the
stool and are harsher laxatives that can enter breast milk.

5.The nurse, teaching a patient to be discharged with an order to use chemical stimulant
laxatives PRN, instructs the patient that one of the most common adverse effects of this
type of laxative is what?
A) Abdominal cramping
B) Rectal bleeding
C) Confusion
D) Iron deficiency anemia
Ans: A
Feedback:
Common adverse effects of laxatives are diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and nausea.
Central nervous system (CNS) adverse effects such as dizziness, headache, and weakness
can occur. Rectal bleeding, confusion, and iron deficiency anemia are not associated with
appropriate use of laxatives but may occur when laxatives are abused.

6.A patient taking a chemical stimulant laxative and medications for heart failure and
osteoarthritis calls the clinic and reports to the nurse that she is not feeling right. What is
the priority question the nurse should ask this patient?
A) Effectiveness of laxatives
B) Timing of medication administration
C) The amount of fiber in her diet
D) Amount of fluid ingested
Ans: B
Feedback:
Because laxatives increase the motility of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and some
laxatives interfere with the timing or process of absorption, it is not advisable to take
laxatives with other prescribed medications. The administration of laxatives and other
medications should be separated by at least 30 minutes, so the nurse should question
when the patient is taking the laxatives and other medication. Other options may be
questions the nurse would eventually ask, but the priority is timing of medication
administration.

7.A patient who is taking metoclopramide (Reglan) has come to the clinic for a follow-up
visit. The nurse will be most concerned about a drug-drug interaction when learning the
patient is taking what other medication?

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A) Albuterol (Proventil)
B) Digoxin (Lanoxin)
C) Furosemide (Lasix)
D) Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)
Ans: B
Feedback:
Metoclopramide has been associated with decreased absorption of digoxin from the
gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The nurse should monitor patients taking this combination
carefully. The other options do not pose a concern about drugdrug interactions.

8.What should the nurse tell the patient who will begin taking rifaximin (Xifaxan) for
traveler's diarrhea?
A) Do not start taking the drug until the diarrhea has persisted for at least 24 hours.
B) Taking the antibiotic will allow you to enjoy the local water and food without
concern.
C) Do not take the drug if you have bloody diarrhea.
D) Start the drug 3 days before leaving for your trip and continue until you return.
Ans: C
Feedback:
Rifaximin should not be taken if a patient has bloody diarrhea or diarrhea that persists for
more than 48 hours. It is started after the signs and symptoms of the disease develop and
is taken for 3 days. The traveler should still avoid exposure to foreign bacteria by not
drinking tap water and by avoiding fruits and vegetables washed in tap water. Options A,
B, and D are not correct.

9.A clinic patient with a history of heart failure requires a laxative for treatment of chronic
constipation. What medication would be most appropriate for this patient?
A) Senna (Senokot)
B) Lactulose (Chronulac)
C) Magnesium sulfate (Milk of Magnesia)
D) Castor oil (Neoloid)
Ans: B
Feedback:
Lactulose is often the drug of choice when a patient with cardiovascular problems
requires a laxative. It is salt free, an important consideration in patients with heart failure;
it acts by exerting a gentle osmotic pull of fluid into the intestinal lumen. Senna,
magnesium sulfate, and castor oil are more aggressive laxatives and might not be the best
choice for a patient with cardiovascular problems.

10.A man with irritable bowel syndrome reports ongoing diarrhea and asks for a prescription
for alosetron (Lotronex), which was helpful for his coworker who recently started taking
the drug. What is the nurse's best response?
A) This drug is only approved for use in women.

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B) This drug is used as a laxative.
C) This drug is contraindicated with irritable bowel syndrome.
D) This drug is no longer on the market for prescription use.
Ans: A
Feedback:
Alosetron (Lotronex) is approved for use in women with irritable bowel syndrome with
diarrhea being the predominant complaint and should be discontinued immediately if the
patient develops constipation or symptoms of ischemic colitis. Patients must read and
sign a patientphysician agreement before it can be prescribed. Options B, C, and D are
not correct.

11.The nurse administers psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid (Metamucil) expecting it to have


what action?
A) Slows peristalsis
B) Promotes reabsorption of water into bowel
C) Has antibacterial properties
D) Adds bulk to the stool
Ans: D
Feedback:
Metamucil is a natural substance that forms a gelatin-like bulk of the intestinal contents.
This agent stimulates local activity. It is considered milder and less irritating than many
other bulk stimulants. Patients must use caution and take it with plenty of water because
Metamucil absorbs large amounts of water and produces stools of gelatin-like
consistency. It does not slow peristalsis, promote water reabsorption, or have antibacterial
properties.

12.The nurse administers loperamide (Imodium) to decrease the number and liquidity of
stool by what mechanism?
A) Decreasing intestinal motility
B) Absorbing toxins
C) Binding with fecal material to increase bulk
D) Blocking the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ)
Ans: A
Feedback:
Systemic antidiarrheal agents slow the motility of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract through
direct action on the lining of the GI tract to inhibit local reflexes (bismuth subsalicylate),
through direct action on the muscles of the GI tract to slow activity (loperamide), or
through action on central nervous system (CNS) centers that cause GI spasm and slowing
(opium derivatives). Options B, C, and D are not correct.

13.The nurse teaches the patient that a common adverse effect of loperamide (Imodium) is
what?
A) Fatigue

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B) Flatulence
C) Disorientation
D) Tremors
Ans: A
Feedback:
Adverse effects associated with antidiarrheal drugs, such as constipation, distention,
abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, and even toxic megacolon, are
related to their effects on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Other adverse effects that have
been reported include fatigue (option A), weakness, dizziness, and rash. options B, C, and
D are not correct.

14.The nurse will question an order for bismuth salts (Pepto-Bismol) in a patient with what
condition?
A) Rheumatoid arthritis
B) Allergy to aspirin
C) Hypertension
D) Viral gastroenteritis
Ans: B
Feedback:
Pepto-Bismol has aspirin in it and should not be given to a patient with an allergy to
aspirin. There is no contraindication for a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension,
or viral gastroenteritis.

15.The home health nurse is caring for a 72-year-old man in his home. He complains about
almost daily diarrhea. The nurse assesses for what common cause of diarrhea in older
adults?
A) Diabetes
B) Hypertensive medications
C) Laxative overuse
D) Glaucoma
Ans: C
Feedback:
Diarrhea in older adults may result from laxative overuse so the nurse should assess what
over-the-counter (OTC) products the patient is using. Diabetes, hypertension
medications, and glaucoma are not common causes of diarrhea in patients.

16.What is the antidiarrheal of choice the nurse will administer to children older than 2 years
of age with diarrhea?
A) Bismuth salts (Pepto-Bismol)
B) Loperamide (Imodium)
C) Paregoric (generic)
D) Difenoxin (Motofen)
Ans: B

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Feedback:
Loperamide may be the antidiarrheal of choice in children older than 2 years of age if
such a drug is needed. Special precautions need to be taken to monitor for electrolyte and
fluid disturbances and supportive measures should be taken as needed. Serious fluid
volume deficits may rapidly develop in children with diarrhea. Appropriate fluid
replacement should include oral rehydration solutions. Although bismuth salts and
paregoric may be given to children, they are not the drugs of choice. Difenoxin is not for
use in children under 12 years of age.

17.What antidiarrheal would the nurse administer to reduce the volume of discharge from
the patient's ileostomy?
A) Diphenoxylate (Lomotil)
B) Octreotide (Sandostatin)
C) Psyllium (Metamucil)
D) Loperamide (Imodium)
Ans: D
Feedback:
Loperamide (Imodium), bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), and opium derivatives
(paregoric) are indicated for the reduction of volume of discharge from ileostomies. The
other options would not serve this purpose.

18.The nurse teaches the patient who was prescribed a chemical stimulant laxative that this
medication may have either a slow, steady effect or may cause severe cramping and rapid
evacuation of the contents of the large intestine. What drug is the nurse teaching this
patient about?
A) Bismuth salts
B) Bisacodyl
C) Castor oil
D) Cascara
Ans: D
Feedback:
Specifically related to chemical stimulants, cascara, although a reliable agent, may have a
either slow, steady action or may cause severe cramping and rapid evacuation of the
contents of the large intestine. Bisacodyl and castor oil do not have potential adverse
effect. Bismuth salts are an antidiarrheal.

19.What is the priority nursing diagnosis for an 89-year-old patient with frequent liquid
stools?
A) Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements
B) Deficient fluid volume
C) Deficient knowledge related to medications
D) Pain related to abdominal cramping
Ans: B

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Feedback:
Fluid volume deficits may develop rapidly in older adults with diarrhea. Older adults are
more likely to develop adverse effects associated with the use of these drugs, including
sedation, confusion, dizziness, electrolyte disturbances, fluid imbalance, and
cardiovascular effects. Although nutrition, pain, and knowledge deficit may be concerns
for this patient, they are not the priority concern.

20.What drug does the nurse recognize as being classified as a chemical stimulant?
A) Bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
B) Polycarbophil (FiberCon)
C) Magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia)
D) Docusate (Colace)
Ans: A
Feedback:
Bisacodyl is a chemical stimulant. Polycarbophil and magnesium hydroxide are bulk
laxatives. Docusate is a lubricant laxative.

21.The nurse is caring for a patient who has had impacted stools twice in the past month.
What is an appropriate laxative for this patient?
A) Milk of Magnesia
B) Agoral Plain
C) Colace
D) Dulcolax
Ans: B
Feedback:
Mineral oil (Agoral Plain) is not absorbed and forms a slippery coat on the contents of the
intestinal tract. When the intestinal bolus is coated with mineral oil, less water is drawn
out of the bolus and the bolus is less likely to become hard or impacted. Other options
shown do not have this same effect of reducing the risk of another impaction as well as
helping to eliminate stool.

22.The home health nurse is caring for a patient with encopresis who was started on mineral
oil therapy. The nurse teaches the patient and family that a common adverse effect is
what?
A) Nausea
B) Vomiting
C) Leakage
D) Vitamin C deficiency
Ans: C
Feedback:
Leakage and staining may be a problem when mineral oil is used and the stool cannot be
retained by the external sphincter. Mineral oil does not cause nausea, vomiting, or
vitamin C deficiency.

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23.When would it be appropriate for the nurse to administer a cathartic laxative to the
patient? (Select all that apply.)
A) Partial small-bowel obstruction
B) Appendicitis
C) After having a baby
D) After a myocardial infarction (MI)
E) After anthelmintic therapy
Ans: C, D, E
Feedback:
Laxative, or cathartic, drugs are indicated for the short-term relief of constipation; to
prevent straining when it is clinically undesirable (such as after surgery, myocardial
infarction, or obstetric delivery); to evacuate the bowel for diagnostic procedures; to
remove ingested poisons from the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract; and as an adjunct in
anthelmintic therapy when it is desirable to flush helminths from the GI tract. They are
not indicated when a patient has an appendicitis or a partial small-bowel obstruction.

24.When would it be appropriate for the nurse to administer castor oil as a laxative?
A) To ease the passage of stool in the patient who recently had a baby
B) To remove ingested poisons from the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract
C) To evacuate the bowel for diagnostic procedures
D) To treat chronic constipation
Ans: C
Feedback:
Indications include evacuating the bowel for diagnostic procedures and for short-term
treatment of constipation. Castor oil is not indicated to remove ingested poisons nor to
ease the passage of stool after having a baby. This drug should only be used on a short-
term basis and is not for the treatment of chronic constipation because repeated use will
cause GI tract exhaustion.

25.For what action would the nurse administer magnesium citrate?


A) Block absorption of fats
B) Directly stimulate the nerve plexus in the intestinal wall
C) Form a slippery coat on the contents of intestine
D) Increase motility, increase fluid, and enlarge bulk of fecal matter
Ans: D
Feedback:
Magnesium citrate is a rapid-acting, aggressive laxative that causes fecal matter to
increase in bulk. It increases the motility of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract by increasing
the fluid in the intestinal contents, which enlarges bulk, stimulates local stretch receptors,
and activates local activity. It does not block absorption of fats, stimulate the nerve
plexus, or form a slippery coat.

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26.The nurse administers metoclopramide to the patient with what condition?
A) Chronic diabetic gastroparesis
B) Impaction
C) Encopresis
D) Patients requiring diagnostic procedures
Ans: A
Feedback:
Indications for metoclopramide include relief of acute and chronic diabetic gastroparesis,
short-term treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disorder in adults who cannot tolerate
standard therapy, prevention of postoperative or chemotherapy-induced nausea and
vomiting, facilitation of small-bowel intubation, stimulation of gastric emptying, and
promotion of intestinal transit of barium. It would not be used for treatment of impaction,
encopresis, and in patients requiring diagnostic procedures.

27.What drug does the nurse administer that inhibits intestinal peristalsis through direct
effects on the longitudinal and circular muscles of the intestinal wall?
A) Bismuth subsalicylate
B) Loperamide
C) Paregoric
D) Magnesium citrate
Ans: B
Feedback:
Actions of loperamide include that it inhibits intestinal peristalsis through direct effects
on the longitudinal and circular muscles of the intestinal wall, slowing motility and
movement of water and electrolytes. Bismuth subsalicylate inhibits local reflexes.
Paregoric works through action on CNS centers that cause GI spasm and slowing.
Magnesium citrate is a laxative.

28.The family brings a patient to the emergency department saying he has been hallucinating
and falls so deeply asleep he stops breathing when not stimulated. The nurse learns the
patient has been self-treating diarrhea and suspects the patient was taking what
medication?
A) Paregoric
B) Bismuth subsalicylate
C) Loperamide
D) Colace
Ans: A
Feedback:
Opium derivatives, like paregoric, are associated with light-headedness, sedation,
euphoria, hallucinations, and respiratory depression related to their effect on opioid
receptors. Nonopioids such as bismuth subsalicylate and loperamide would not cause
respiratory depression. Colace is a stool softener, not an antidiarrheal.

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29.The nurse develops a teaching plan for a 77-year-old patient who has been prescribed
loperamide PRN. The nurse's priority teaching point is what?
A) May cause hallucinations or respiratory depression
B) Take drug after each loose stool
C) Drug remains in the bowel without being absorbed into the bloodstream
D) Avoid pregnancy and breast-feeding while taking drug.
Ans: B
Feedback:
Loperamide is taken repeatedly after each loose stool. Teaching the patient when to take
the drug is the priority teaching point. Paregoric, and not loperamide, can cause
hallucinations and respiratory depression. The drug is absorbed systemically. It is
unlikely a 77-year-old patient will get pregnant or breast-feed so this is not the highest
priority.

30.A patient receiving loperamide (Imodium) should be alerted by the nurse to what possible
adverse effect?
A) Anxiety
B) Bradycardia
C) Fatigue
D) Urinary retention
Ans: C
Feedback:
Patients should be aware that they should not drive or operate machinery while taking
loperamide (Imodium) because it can cause fatigue. Anxiety, bradycardia, and urinary
retention are not commonly associated with loperamide.

31.The patient had surgery 2 days ago and bowel motility has not returned. What drug might
the nurse administer to stimulate the gastrointestinal (GI) tract?
A) Dexpanthenol
B) Docusate
C) Psyllium (Metamucil)
D) Senna
Ans: A
Feedback:
Dexpanthenol is indicated for the prevention of intestinal atony or loss of intestinal
muscle tone in postoperative adults. Docusate, psyllium, and senna are laxatives that
would not be indicated for the postoperative patient with no bowel activity.

32.The hospice nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with bone cancer who is receiving
large doses of opioid medications to relieve pain. The patient has used other laxatives in
the past to treat opioid-induced constipation but nothing is working now. What drug
would the nurse request the family doctor to order for this patient?

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A) Methylnaltrexone (Relistor)
B) Castor oil
C) Paregoric
D) Mineral oil
Ans: A
Feedback:
Methylnaltrexone (Relistor) was approved in 2008 for the treatment of opioid-induced
constipation in patients with advanced disease who are receiving palliative care and are
no longer responsive to traditional laxatives. Castor oil, mineral oil, and paregoric would
likely be ineffective in this patient.

33.The nurse, providing patient teaching, explains that difenoxin and diphenoxylate are
chemically related to what medication?
A) Morphine
B) Demerol
C) Diphenhydramine
D) Diflucan
Ans: B
Feedback:
Difenoxin and diphenoxylate are chemically related to meperidine and are used at doses
that decrease gastrointestinal activity without having analgesic or respiratory effects.

34.The nurse collects a stool culture from a patient diagnosed with traveler's diarrhea. What
bacterium does the nurse expect the culture to grow?
A) Escherichia coli
B) Staphylococcus aureus
C) Streptococcus type B
D) Pseudomonas
Ans: A
Feedback:
Escherichia coli is the most common cause of traveler's diarrhea. Staphylococcus,
Streptococcus, and Pseudomonas would be highly unlikely to grow in the stool of a
patient with traveler's diarrhea.

35.The nurse administers lubiprostone (Amitiza) to the patient with irritable bowel
syndrome and anticipates what therapeutic action from the drug?
A) Secretion of chloride-rich intestinal fluid leading to increased motility
B) Adding bulk to the fecal matter to ease the process of stooling
C) Irritation of the inner lining of the bowel to increase bowel motility
D) Stimulate the bowel by increasing innervation
Ans: A
Feedback:
Lubiprostone is a locally acting chloride channel activator that increases the secretion of

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a chloride-rich intestinal fluid without changing sodium or potassium levels. Increasing
the intestinal fluid leads to increased motility. It does not add bulk, irritate the inner
lining, or innervate the bowel.

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