NURS 1566 Clinical Form 3: Clinical Medications Worksheets

(You will need to make additional copies of these forms)

Generic Name Trade Name Classification Dose Route Time/frequency

docusate sodium Dulcolax Stool Softener laxatives 1 unit REC As needed PRN
Peak Onset Duration Normal dosage range
Unknown 2-15 min Unknown 50-100 mg or 1 unit containing 283 mg docusate sodium,
soft soap, and glycerin.
Why is your patient getting this medication For IV meds, compatibility with IV drips and/or
Constipation solutions
N/A
Mechanism of action and indications Nursing Implications (what to focus on)
(Why med ordered) Contraindications/warnings/interactions
Promotes incorporation of water into stool, resulting Hypersensitivity. Abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting,
in softer fecal mass, May also promote electrolyte especially when associated with fever or other signs of an
and water secretion into the colon acute abdomen. Excessive or prolonged use may lead to
dependence.
Common side effects
Mild cramps.
Interactions with other patient drugs, OTC or Lab value alterations caused by medicine
herbal medicines (ask patient specifically) None known
None significant
Be sure to teach the patient the following about this
medication
Advise patients that laxatives should be used only for
short-term therapy. Long-term therapy may cause
electrolyte imbalance and dependence. Encourage patients
to use other forms of bowel regulation, such as increasing
bulk in the diet, increasing fluid intake (6-8 full
glasses/day), and increasing mobility. Normal bowel habits
are variable and may vary from 3 times/day to 3 times/wk.
Instruct patients with cardiac disease to avoid straining
during bowel movements (Valsalva maneuver). Advise
patient not to use laxatives when abdominal pain, nausea,
vomiting, or fever is present.
Advise patient not to take docusate within 2 hr of other
laxatives.
Nursing Process- Assessment Assessment Evaluation
(Pre-administration assessment) Why would you hold or not give this Check after giving
Assess for abdominal distention, presence med? A soft, formed bowel
of bowel sounds, and usual pattern of When abdominal pain, nausea, movement. Rectal dose
bowel function, Assess color, consistency, vomiting, or fever is present or when forms produce results within
and amount of stool produced. client is not constipated. 2-15 min.