Drugs for Gastrointestinal Problems
Assignment 6 & 7
Define the following terms:
1. Antacids: a category of drugs used to help neutralize gastric acid and reduce symptoms
of indigestion and heartburn.
2. Antidiarrheal: Drug that reduces or stops loose, watery stools (diarrhea) and helps
restore normal bowel movements.
3. Antiemetic drugs: A category of drugs used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting.
4. Cannabinoids: Drugs that are natural or synthetic forms of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
that reduce nausea and vomiting by binding to both cannabinoid receptors in the
chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) and by preventing serotonin (5-HT3) from binding to
its receptors in the CTZ.
5. Cytoprotective drugs: A class of drugs that protects the lining of the stomach and
prevents further damage to the lining, from stomach acid.
6. Histamine H2-receptor antagonists: A class of drugs that inhibits the binding of
histamine to H2 receptors on the parietal cells in the stomach, thereby decreasing gastric
acid secretions.
7. Laxatives: A class of drug that promotes bowel movements by stimulating peristalsis,
increasing the bulk of the stool, or by softening the stool. They are typically used to
relieve constipation.
8. Opioid agonists: A class of antidiarrheals that reduces GI motility and increases the
ability of the intestine to absorb water. They do not have the analgesic or opioid-like
effects of the drugs discussed in Chapter 11.
9. Phenothiazine: A type of antiemetic drug that reduces nausea and vomiting by blocking
dopamine receptors in the CTZ. These drugs are also called dopamine antagonists.
10. Promotility drugs: A class of drugs that increases contraction of the upper GI tract,
including the stomach and the small intestines, to move contents more quickly through
the GI tract. They do this by blocking dopamine (D2) receptors in the CTZ and the
intestinal tract.
11. Proton pump inhibitors: A class of drugs that binds to the proton pump of the parietal
cells in the stomach, which blocks acid secretion into the stomach.
12. Serotonin (5-HT3) receptor antagonists: A class of antiemetic drugs that reduces or
halts nausea and vomiting by blocking (5-HT3) receptors in the intestinal tract and the
CTZ so serotonin cannot activate these receptors.
K Rowe LVN Page 1 of 20 Rev: Jan. 2019
, Drugs for Gastrointestinal Problems
Assignment 6 & 7
13. Substance P/neurokinin1 (NK1) receptor antagonists: A class of antiemetic drugs that
blocks the substance P/neurokinin1 (NK1) receptors in the CTZ, preventing the substance
P and neurokinin that are released from cells exposed to chemotherapy and from tissues
that are traumatized during surgery from binding to and triggering the CTZ.
The Digestive System
1. List what the digestive system is composed of:
The mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and accessory structures.
2. What does the digestive system perform?
It performs the mechanical and chemical processes of digestion, absorbs nutrients,
and eliminates waste.
3. List the accessory digestive glands:
Salivary glands, gallbladder, and pancreas.
4. What does prostaglandin do in the stomach?
It triggers the production of a thick mucus that forms a gel-like layer in the
stomach that helps prevent stomach acid and enzymes from coming into direct contact
with, and damaging the lining. They also maintain good blood flow to the stomach,
which keeps the tissues well oxygenated and allows the immune system to help keep
them healthy.
5. What organ produces a lot of bicarbonate and secretes it into the duodenum to
neutralize the acid?
The pancreas
6. List the problems that the digestive system can have:
Vomiting, ulcer formation, gastric reflux, constipation, and diarrhea.
Antiemetic Drugs
1. Nausea and vomiting results from a complex set of interaction that involves what:
The brain, the nervous system, inner ear, the stomach, and the intestines.
2. Messages from the cerebral cortex like fear or anxiety, sensory organs like sights,
odors, or pain or the vestibular apparatus in the inner ear like motion sickness can
be sent where that causes the nausea and vomiting, and they are called what type of
stimuli? It can be sent to the vomiting center in the brain. They are
called the direct-acting stimuli because the messages go directly to the vomiting center.
3. Describe indirect-acting stimuli for nausea and vomiting:
It involves the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ). For example opioids,
alcohol, certain antibiotics, and types of anesthesia can stimulate the CTZ. CTZ then
sends messages to the vomiting center.
K Rowe LVN Page 2 of 20 Rev: Jan. 2019
, Drugs for Gastrointestinal Problems
Assignment 6 & 7
4. What are clients at risk for with nausea and vomiting?
They are at risk for dehydration, weight loss, and electrolyte imbalance.
5. What does the nurse need to monitor in a client with nausea and vomiting?
The nurse needs to monitor and report any changes in fluid
balance, food intake, and laboratory abnormalities.
6. What is antiemetic drugs used to prevent and treat?
Nausea and vomiting that occur with any problem.
7. List the categories of antiemetic drugs:
Serotonin receptor antagonist substance P antagonists, phenothiazines,
cannabinoids, promotility drugs, butyrophenones, and anticholinergics.
Serotonin (5-HT3) Receptor Antagonists
1. What is a neurotransmitter?
It’s a chemical that transmits signals from one nerve to the next nerve in
the pathway or to the brain.
2. Describe the action of serotonin (5-HT3) Receptor Antagonists:
It binds to its receptors in either the CTZ or to its receptors in the GI system. It
reduces or halts nausea & vomtting by blocking serotonin (5-HT3) receptors in the
intestinal tract & the CTZ so serotonin cannot activate receptors.
3. The serotonin (5-HT3) receptor antagonists are a class of antiemetic drugs that
reduces or halts nausea and vomiting how?
By blocking serotonin (5-HT3) receptors in the intestinal tract and
the CTZ.
4. What are the major uses of this class of antiemetics?
It’s usually used to treat or reduce nausea.
5. Why may serotonin (5HT3) receptor antagonists be called setrons for short?
Because they typically end in “setron.”
6. All of the serotonin (5-HT3) receptor antagonists have what suffix in their generic
names? -setron.
7. List the common side effects for serotonin (5HT3) receptor antagonists:
dizziness, headache, and drowsiness. Some experience changes in taste,
heartburn, constipation, or diarrhea.
K Rowe LVN Page 3 of 20 Rev: Jan. 2019
Assignment 6 & 7
Define the following terms:
1. Antacids: a category of drugs used to help neutralize gastric acid and reduce symptoms
of indigestion and heartburn.
2. Antidiarrheal: Drug that reduces or stops loose, watery stools (diarrhea) and helps
restore normal bowel movements.
3. Antiemetic drugs: A category of drugs used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting.
4. Cannabinoids: Drugs that are natural or synthetic forms of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
that reduce nausea and vomiting by binding to both cannabinoid receptors in the
chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) and by preventing serotonin (5-HT3) from binding to
its receptors in the CTZ.
5. Cytoprotective drugs: A class of drugs that protects the lining of the stomach and
prevents further damage to the lining, from stomach acid.
6. Histamine H2-receptor antagonists: A class of drugs that inhibits the binding of
histamine to H2 receptors on the parietal cells in the stomach, thereby decreasing gastric
acid secretions.
7. Laxatives: A class of drug that promotes bowel movements by stimulating peristalsis,
increasing the bulk of the stool, or by softening the stool. They are typically used to
relieve constipation.
8. Opioid agonists: A class of antidiarrheals that reduces GI motility and increases the
ability of the intestine to absorb water. They do not have the analgesic or opioid-like
effects of the drugs discussed in Chapter 11.
9. Phenothiazine: A type of antiemetic drug that reduces nausea and vomiting by blocking
dopamine receptors in the CTZ. These drugs are also called dopamine antagonists.
10. Promotility drugs: A class of drugs that increases contraction of the upper GI tract,
including the stomach and the small intestines, to move contents more quickly through
the GI tract. They do this by blocking dopamine (D2) receptors in the CTZ and the
intestinal tract.
11. Proton pump inhibitors: A class of drugs that binds to the proton pump of the parietal
cells in the stomach, which blocks acid secretion into the stomach.
12. Serotonin (5-HT3) receptor antagonists: A class of antiemetic drugs that reduces or
halts nausea and vomiting by blocking (5-HT3) receptors in the intestinal tract and the
CTZ so serotonin cannot activate these receptors.
K Rowe LVN Page 1 of 20 Rev: Jan. 2019
, Drugs for Gastrointestinal Problems
Assignment 6 & 7
13. Substance P/neurokinin1 (NK1) receptor antagonists: A class of antiemetic drugs that
blocks the substance P/neurokinin1 (NK1) receptors in the CTZ, preventing the substance
P and neurokinin that are released from cells exposed to chemotherapy and from tissues
that are traumatized during surgery from binding to and triggering the CTZ.
The Digestive System
1. List what the digestive system is composed of:
The mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and accessory structures.
2. What does the digestive system perform?
It performs the mechanical and chemical processes of digestion, absorbs nutrients,
and eliminates waste.
3. List the accessory digestive glands:
Salivary glands, gallbladder, and pancreas.
4. What does prostaglandin do in the stomach?
It triggers the production of a thick mucus that forms a gel-like layer in the
stomach that helps prevent stomach acid and enzymes from coming into direct contact
with, and damaging the lining. They also maintain good blood flow to the stomach,
which keeps the tissues well oxygenated and allows the immune system to help keep
them healthy.
5. What organ produces a lot of bicarbonate and secretes it into the duodenum to
neutralize the acid?
The pancreas
6. List the problems that the digestive system can have:
Vomiting, ulcer formation, gastric reflux, constipation, and diarrhea.
Antiemetic Drugs
1. Nausea and vomiting results from a complex set of interaction that involves what:
The brain, the nervous system, inner ear, the stomach, and the intestines.
2. Messages from the cerebral cortex like fear or anxiety, sensory organs like sights,
odors, or pain or the vestibular apparatus in the inner ear like motion sickness can
be sent where that causes the nausea and vomiting, and they are called what type of
stimuli? It can be sent to the vomiting center in the brain. They are
called the direct-acting stimuli because the messages go directly to the vomiting center.
3. Describe indirect-acting stimuli for nausea and vomiting:
It involves the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ). For example opioids,
alcohol, certain antibiotics, and types of anesthesia can stimulate the CTZ. CTZ then
sends messages to the vomiting center.
K Rowe LVN Page 2 of 20 Rev: Jan. 2019
, Drugs for Gastrointestinal Problems
Assignment 6 & 7
4. What are clients at risk for with nausea and vomiting?
They are at risk for dehydration, weight loss, and electrolyte imbalance.
5. What does the nurse need to monitor in a client with nausea and vomiting?
The nurse needs to monitor and report any changes in fluid
balance, food intake, and laboratory abnormalities.
6. What is antiemetic drugs used to prevent and treat?
Nausea and vomiting that occur with any problem.
7. List the categories of antiemetic drugs:
Serotonin receptor antagonist substance P antagonists, phenothiazines,
cannabinoids, promotility drugs, butyrophenones, and anticholinergics.
Serotonin (5-HT3) Receptor Antagonists
1. What is a neurotransmitter?
It’s a chemical that transmits signals from one nerve to the next nerve in
the pathway or to the brain.
2. Describe the action of serotonin (5-HT3) Receptor Antagonists:
It binds to its receptors in either the CTZ or to its receptors in the GI system. It
reduces or halts nausea & vomtting by blocking serotonin (5-HT3) receptors in the
intestinal tract & the CTZ so serotonin cannot activate receptors.
3. The serotonin (5-HT3) receptor antagonists are a class of antiemetic drugs that
reduces or halts nausea and vomiting how?
By blocking serotonin (5-HT3) receptors in the intestinal tract and
the CTZ.
4. What are the major uses of this class of antiemetics?
It’s usually used to treat or reduce nausea.
5. Why may serotonin (5HT3) receptor antagonists be called setrons for short?
Because they typically end in “setron.”
6. All of the serotonin (5-HT3) receptor antagonists have what suffix in their generic
names? -setron.
7. List the common side effects for serotonin (5HT3) receptor antagonists:
dizziness, headache, and drowsiness. Some experience changes in taste,
heartburn, constipation, or diarrhea.
K Rowe LVN Page 3 of 20 Rev: Jan. 2019
