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Chapter 34: Drugs Used to Treat Constipation and Diarrhea
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. When the nurse assesses bowel habits in a patient, which is the best example of normal bowel
elimination?
a. Daily bowel movements
b. Multiple soft stools daily
c. Daily liquid stools
d. Regular bowel elimination pattern of soft stool
ANS: D
Normal bowel habits are stools that are soft and occur on a regular schedule of elimination for
that particular patient. Although this may be routine for some people, it is not normal for
everyone. Liquid stools are not considered normal.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 551 OBJ: 1
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity
2. Which drug would be most effective for an obstetric patient who is complaining of
constipation as a result of her enlarging uterus and use of prenatal vitamins?
a. Saline laxative
b. Lubricant laxative
c. Stimulant laxative
d. Mineral oil
ANS: B
Lubricant and bulk forming laxatives may be used in the pregnant patient because little
cramping accompanies their use. Saline laxatives are not safe for a pregnant woman because
of the bowel distention and possible electrolyte imbalance they may cause. Stimulant laxatives
are too harsh for a pregnant woman because they may cause cramping. Mineral oil is not a
good laxative to use on a regular basis because it can cause malabsorption of vitamins.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 555 OBJ: 2
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity
3. The nurse is performing a premedication assessment. For which patient would laxative use be
contraindicated?
a. Patient with quadriplegia
b. Patient with appendicitis
c. Geriatric patient
d. Patient with fractured femur
ANS: B
Patients who have a history of an inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including
gastritis, colitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and appendicitis, should not take laxatives
and should be referred to a health care provider. Quadriplegic and geriatric patients as well
as patients with fractures may generally take laxatives and stool softeners on a regular basis.
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DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 552 | p. 555
OBJ: 2 TOP: Nursing Process Step: Assessment MSC: NCLEX Client
Needs Category: Physiological Integrity
4. Which is the laxative of choice for an older patient who is in the end stage of Alzheimer’s
disease and requires a daily laxative?
a. Emollient
b. Stimulant
c. Fecal softener
d. Bulk forming
ANS: D
Bulk forming laxatives are considered the safest laxative for routine use because they cause
water to be retained within the stool, which increases bulk, and stimulates peristalsis.
Emollient laxatives reduce muscle tone and decrease peristalsis over time. Stimulant laxatives
can cause cramping and should not be used on a regular basis. Fecal softeners are not
laxatives.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: p. 555 OBJ: 2
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Health Promotion and Maintenance
5. A friend reports using loperamide (Imodium) for continual diarrhea for a week since
returning home from a vacation outside the country. Which is the nurse’s best response?
a. “There are some other over the counter products available for diarrhea, such as
Kaopectate (bismuth subsalicylate).”
b. “I’d stop taking the Imodium and go in to see a health care provider immediately.
You may have an infection in your intestinal tract.”
c. “If you’re not running a temperature, I wouldn’t worry. That happens to many people
when they travel.”
d. “As long as you can drink plenty of fluids, I’m sure the diarrhea will go away once you’re
back in a normal routine.”
ANS: B
Diarrhea may be a defense mechanism to rid the body of infecting organisms or irritants.
Diarrhea is usually self limiting and should not be suppressed with over the counter products.
It is safest for people who are suffering from diarrhea after traveling outside the country to
visit their health care provider, who can determine whether an infection is present.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: pp. 551-552 OBJ: 6
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Health Promotion and Maintenance
6. A patient who has had a myocardial infarction is advised to avoid straining with defecation.
Which medication would be prescribed to this patient?
a. Stool softeners
b. Bulk forming laxatives
c. Stimulants
d. Emollients
ANS: A
Stool softeners are routinely used for the prevention of constipation or to prevent straining
with defecation (e.g., in patients recovering from myocardial infarction or abdominal
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Chapter 34: Drugs Used to Treat Constipation and Diarrhea
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. When the nurse assesses bowel habits in a patient, which is the best example of normal bowel
elimination?
a. Daily bowel movements
b. Multiple soft stools daily
c. Daily liquid stools
d. Regular bowel elimination pattern of soft stool
ANS: D
Normal bowel habits are stools that are soft and occur on a regular schedule of elimination for
that particular patient. Although this may be routine for some people, it is not normal for
everyone. Liquid stools are not considered normal.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 551 OBJ: 1
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity
2. Which drug would be most effective for an obstetric patient who is complaining of
constipation as a result of her enlarging uterus and use of prenatal vitamins?
a. Saline laxative
b. Lubricant laxative
c. Stimulant laxative
d. Mineral oil
ANS: B
Lubricant and bulk forming laxatives may be used in the pregnant patient because little
cramping accompanies their use. Saline laxatives are not safe for a pregnant woman because
of the bowel distention and possible electrolyte imbalance they may cause. Stimulant laxatives
are too harsh for a pregnant woman because they may cause cramping. Mineral oil is not a
good laxative to use on a regular basis because it can cause malabsorption of vitamins.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 555 OBJ: 2
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity
3. The nurse is performing a premedication assessment. For which patient would laxative use be
contraindicated?
a. Patient with quadriplegia
b. Patient with appendicitis
c. Geriatric patient
d. Patient with fractured femur
ANS: B
Patients who have a history of an inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including
gastritis, colitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and appendicitis, should not take laxatives
and should be referred to a health care provider. Quadriplegic and geriatric patients as well
as patients with fractures may generally take laxatives and stool softeners on a regular basis.
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DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 552 | p. 555
OBJ: 2 TOP: Nursing Process Step: Assessment MSC: NCLEX Client
Needs Category: Physiological Integrity
4. Which is the laxative of choice for an older patient who is in the end stage of Alzheimer’s
disease and requires a daily laxative?
a. Emollient
b. Stimulant
c. Fecal softener
d. Bulk forming
ANS: D
Bulk forming laxatives are considered the safest laxative for routine use because they cause
water to be retained within the stool, which increases bulk, and stimulates peristalsis.
Emollient laxatives reduce muscle tone and decrease peristalsis over time. Stimulant laxatives
can cause cramping and should not be used on a regular basis. Fecal softeners are not
laxatives.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: p. 555 OBJ: 2
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Health Promotion and Maintenance
5. A friend reports using loperamide (Imodium) for continual diarrhea for a week since
returning home from a vacation outside the country. Which is the nurse’s best response?
a. “There are some other over the counter products available for diarrhea, such as
Kaopectate (bismuth subsalicylate).”
b. “I’d stop taking the Imodium and go in to see a health care provider immediately.
You may have an infection in your intestinal tract.”
c. “If you’re not running a temperature, I wouldn’t worry. That happens to many people
when they travel.”
d. “As long as you can drink plenty of fluids, I’m sure the diarrhea will go away once you’re
back in a normal routine.”
ANS: B
Diarrhea may be a defense mechanism to rid the body of infecting organisms or irritants.
Diarrhea is usually self limiting and should not be suppressed with over the counter products.
It is safest for people who are suffering from diarrhea after traveling outside the country to
visit their health care provider, who can determine whether an infection is present.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: pp. 551-552 OBJ: 6
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Health Promotion and Maintenance
6. A patient who has had a myocardial infarction is advised to avoid straining with defecation.
Which medication would be prescribed to this patient?
a. Stool softeners
b. Bulk forming laxatives
c. Stimulants
d. Emollients
ANS: A
Stool softeners are routinely used for the prevention of constipation or to prevent straining
with defecation (e.g., in patients recovering from myocardial infarction or abdominal
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