SARAH MICHELLE BOARD REVIEW 2026
UPDATED EXAM PREP QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
◉ Why are antacids not considered first line treatment? Answer:
These provide symptom relief, they do not treat underlying problem.
◉ How to antacids work? Answer: Tone down the acidity for the
patient which ultimately gives them relief of symptoms
◉ Antacids are most effective when taken how many minutes before
a meal? Answer: 30 minutes
◉ Antacids with calcium or aluminum may cause what? Answer:
Constipation- this is a consideration especially in the elderly
population
◉ Antacids with magnesium may cause what? Answer: Diarrhea
◉ When should sucralafate be taken? Answer: Before meals, to allow
for it to coat the stomach lining for protection
,◉ How does sucralafate work? Answer: Coats the entire stomach
lining. This protective coating ideally will not allow for ulcers to
occur or for ones that already exist to be irritated by whatever
you're about to ingest. It truly adheres to those ulcer sites to protect
them.
◉ What is sucralafate typically used for? Answer: Maintenance
therapy for duodenal ulcers. Typically used short-term for < 8 weeks
or less.
◉ When administering Zofran, we need to use a reduced dose in
what patients? Answer: Patient with hepatic impairment
◉ When taking Zofran what hear issue may occur? Answer: QT
prolongation- especially in patients on higher doses or on
medication long term
◉ How does Zofran work? Answer: by blocking serotonin- so it is a
serotonin receptor antagonist
◉ How does Compazine work? Answer: Blocking the dopamine
receptors inside your brain. These dopamine receptors are what
lead to the patient feeling nauseous.
,◉ What issues can be seen when prescribing Compazine? Answer:
Sedation and anticholinergic side effects
◉ When a patient has had too much Compazine, what reactions may
they have? Answer: Extrapyramidal reactions
◉ What are extrapyramidal reactions? Answer: Acute dystonia,
tardive dyskinesia, akathisia.
◉ How does Phenergan work? Answer: Blocks histamine in patient's
brain, which allows the brain to relax.
◉ What is a side effect of Phenergan? Answer: Sedation
◉ What is the black box warning regarding Phenergan and sedation?
Answer: Can cause respiratory depression in those < 2 years old,
therefore it can not be given
◉ What is docusate sodium? Answer: Stool softener
◉ How does docusate sodium work? Answer: Helps prevent and
treat constipation by allowing fecal masses to be penetrated by fluid
in the intestines. This process allows for those stools to ultimately
, become softer and therefore easier to pass by the patient. Prevents
the patient from straining.
◉ What do you do if the stool softener doesn't do the trick, and the
patient is still constipated? Answer: Bulk Laxatives
◉ What laxative is first line treatment for constipation? Answer:
Bulk laxatives
◉ How do bulk laxatives work? Answer: They work by absorbing
fluid in the intestines, which creates a jelly-like passable stool. "Bulk
up" that bowel movement, so it can pass.
◉ What are some examples of bulk laxatives? Answer: Metamucil
◉ Can bulk laxatives be taken long term? Answer: Yes, they can be
used to treat and prevent constipation
◉ What patient education should be provided when prescribing
bulk laxatives? Answer: Bulk laxative much be taken with a full glass
of water. If it is not taken with a glass of water, the patient may end
up with an intestinal obstruction.
◉ What is an example of an osmotic laxative? Answer: Lactulose
UPDATED EXAM PREP QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
◉ Why are antacids not considered first line treatment? Answer:
These provide symptom relief, they do not treat underlying problem.
◉ How to antacids work? Answer: Tone down the acidity for the
patient which ultimately gives them relief of symptoms
◉ Antacids are most effective when taken how many minutes before
a meal? Answer: 30 minutes
◉ Antacids with calcium or aluminum may cause what? Answer:
Constipation- this is a consideration especially in the elderly
population
◉ Antacids with magnesium may cause what? Answer: Diarrhea
◉ When should sucralafate be taken? Answer: Before meals, to allow
for it to coat the stomach lining for protection
,◉ How does sucralafate work? Answer: Coats the entire stomach
lining. This protective coating ideally will not allow for ulcers to
occur or for ones that already exist to be irritated by whatever
you're about to ingest. It truly adheres to those ulcer sites to protect
them.
◉ What is sucralafate typically used for? Answer: Maintenance
therapy for duodenal ulcers. Typically used short-term for < 8 weeks
or less.
◉ When administering Zofran, we need to use a reduced dose in
what patients? Answer: Patient with hepatic impairment
◉ When taking Zofran what hear issue may occur? Answer: QT
prolongation- especially in patients on higher doses or on
medication long term
◉ How does Zofran work? Answer: by blocking serotonin- so it is a
serotonin receptor antagonist
◉ How does Compazine work? Answer: Blocking the dopamine
receptors inside your brain. These dopamine receptors are what
lead to the patient feeling nauseous.
,◉ What issues can be seen when prescribing Compazine? Answer:
Sedation and anticholinergic side effects
◉ When a patient has had too much Compazine, what reactions may
they have? Answer: Extrapyramidal reactions
◉ What are extrapyramidal reactions? Answer: Acute dystonia,
tardive dyskinesia, akathisia.
◉ How does Phenergan work? Answer: Blocks histamine in patient's
brain, which allows the brain to relax.
◉ What is a side effect of Phenergan? Answer: Sedation
◉ What is the black box warning regarding Phenergan and sedation?
Answer: Can cause respiratory depression in those < 2 years old,
therefore it can not be given
◉ What is docusate sodium? Answer: Stool softener
◉ How does docusate sodium work? Answer: Helps prevent and
treat constipation by allowing fecal masses to be penetrated by fluid
in the intestines. This process allows for those stools to ultimately
, become softer and therefore easier to pass by the patient. Prevents
the patient from straining.
◉ What do you do if the stool softener doesn't do the trick, and the
patient is still constipated? Answer: Bulk Laxatives
◉ What laxative is first line treatment for constipation? Answer:
Bulk laxatives
◉ How do bulk laxatives work? Answer: They work by absorbing
fluid in the intestines, which creates a jelly-like passable stool. "Bulk
up" that bowel movement, so it can pass.
◉ What are some examples of bulk laxatives? Answer: Metamucil
◉ Can bulk laxatives be taken long term? Answer: Yes, they can be
used to treat and prevent constipation
◉ What patient education should be provided when prescribing
bulk laxatives? Answer: Bulk laxative much be taken with a full glass
of water. If it is not taken with a glass of water, the patient may end
up with an intestinal obstruction.
◉ What is an example of an osmotic laxative? Answer: Lactulose
