Drugs Affecting GI Secretions
This medication coats ulcers to protect them from acid and pepsin.
What is sucralfate (Carafate)?
This stool softener is often used to prevent constipation.
What is docusate sodium (Colace)?
This serotonin (5-HT3) receptor blocker is used to prevent nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy.
What is ondansetron (Zofran)?
A patient on Ranitidine complains of gynecomastia. The nurse recognises this adverse effect because of which mechanism?
What is H₂-receptor blockade leading to hormonal effects?
Antacids should be taken at least this long apart from other medications.
What is 1–2 hours?
Misoprostol (Cytotec) is contraindicated in this population.
What are pregnant women (can cause miscarriage)?
This osmotic laxative works by drawing water into the colon.
What is lactulose or polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX)?
A patient receiving Promethazine complains of drowsiness and dry mouth. What class is this drug and what teaching should the nurse provide?
What is a phenothiazine antiemetic; teaching: avoid driving, use caution with other sedatives, practice good oral hygiene?
A patient on metoclopramide develops involuntary movements. The nurse recognises this as what?
What is extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) or tardive dyskinesia?
When taking PPIs, patients should report these symptoms immediately.
What are black/tarry stools or persistent abdominal pain?
This medication decreases stomach acid by enhancing mucosal defense and bicarbonate production.
What is misoprostol (Cytotec)?
Loperamide (Imodium) is used for this GI condition.
What is diarrhea?
The nurse is about to administer Scopolamine patch. What patient teaching is essential about handling the patch?
What is wash hands after applying, apply behind ear, replace every 72 h, avoid eye contact?
A nurse knows that loperamide (Imodium) should not be used in a patient with:
Infectious diarrhea (C. diff)
Teaching for laxative overuse includes risk of this long-term effect.
What is bowel dependency?
Cimetidine (Tagamet) has this unique drug interaction risk.
What is inhibition of hepatic metabolism leading to drug toxicity (e.g., warfarin, phenytoin)?
Bulk-forming laxatives like psyllium require this nursing instruction to prevent obstruction.
What is take with a full glass of water?
The nurse teaches a patient how to take sucralfate. When should the patient take it in relation to meals and other drugs?
What is take 1 hour before meals and separate from other meds by 2 hours?
Why should sucralfate not be given at the same time as antacids or PPIs?
Because they interfere with sucralfate’s binding action on ulcers.
Antidiarrheal drugs like diphenoxylate/atropine (Lomotil) are structurally related to this drug class.
What are opioids?
The nurse instructs a patient prescribed ondansetron to report which symptom immediately?
What is palpitations, fainting, irregular heartbeat?