NR565: WEEK 7: GASTROINTESTINAL (GI): TEST QUESTIONS WITH
ACCURATE SOLUTIONS
1) Constipation -- Answer ✔✔ -reported symptoms of unsatisfactory defecation
with infrequent stool amounts, difficulty passing stool, or both
- can be primary or secondary
- Primary constipation may be treated pharmacologically
- secondary constipation treatment is focused on addressing the underlying
condition
- in children often results from delay or avoidance of BMs
• delay increases water absorption in colon & leads to formation of
hard stools
• Less common, health & nutritional problems may cause constipation
2) Over-the-counter meds to treat constipation -- Answer ✔✔ -Magnesium citrate
• saline laxative
- Metamucil
• bulk laxative
- Mineral oil
• glycerin
- Dulcolax
• stimulating laxative
, Colace
• emollient
3) Laxative Type: Bulk Producers -- Answer ✔✔ -Therapeutic Response Time
• 1-3 days
- Examples
• Methylcellulose
• Psyllium
• Polycarbophil
4) Laxative Type: Osmotic Laxatives -- Answer ✔✔ -Therapeutic Response Time
• 2-12 hours depending on dose
- Examples
• Magnesium hydroxide
• Magnesium sulfate
• Magnesium citrate
• Sodium phosphate
• Polyethylene glycol
• Lactulose
5) Laxative Type: Stimulant Laxatives -- Answer ✔✔ -Therapeutic Response Time
• 6-12 hours
- Examples
• Bisacodyl
• Senna
• Castor Oil
6) Laxative Type: Surfactant Laxatives -- Answer ✔✔ -Therapeutic Response Time
• 1-3 days
- Examples
• Docusate sodium
• Docusate calcium
7) Laxative Type: Others -- Answer ✔✔ -Therapeutic Response Time
• 1-3 days
, - Examples
• Castor oil
• Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution
• Lactulose
• Lubiprostone
8) Use precaution with ___________ in older adults due to increased risk of lipoid
pneumonia caused by aspiration. Also, use caution in pregnancy. -- Answer ✔✔
lubricants
9) Patients with severe cardiovascular disease and anal fissures should use caution
with ___________. This type of laxative is contraindicated in patients with
abdominal pain, obstruction, and nausea/vomiting with fever. -- Answer ✔✔
stimulant laxatives
10) ___________ should be used with caution in patients with renal dysfunction,
cardiovascular disease, dehydration, and diabetes mellitus (can cause
hyperglycemia). These agents are contraindicated in older adults, and patients
with heart failure. -- Answer ✔✔ Saline agents
11) Laxative abuse -- Answer ✔✔ -usually associated with a belief that more bowel
movements are needed
• may stem from a perception that daily bowel movements equate to
or demonstrate good health
• may also stem from an over-use of laxatives to aid weight loss
- can lead to health issues and chronic constipation
- referral to a behavioral health provider may be necessary
- Health issues that may arise:
• diminished defecation reflexes
• electrolyte imbalance
• dehydration
• colitis
12) The parent of a child with cerebral palsy reports that the child has pebble-like
stools most of the time and seems uncomfortable if several days have passed
between stools. Which of the following medications should be recommended to
alleviate the child's constipation?
ACCURATE SOLUTIONS
1) Constipation -- Answer ✔✔ -reported symptoms of unsatisfactory defecation
with infrequent stool amounts, difficulty passing stool, or both
- can be primary or secondary
- Primary constipation may be treated pharmacologically
- secondary constipation treatment is focused on addressing the underlying
condition
- in children often results from delay or avoidance of BMs
• delay increases water absorption in colon & leads to formation of
hard stools
• Less common, health & nutritional problems may cause constipation
2) Over-the-counter meds to treat constipation -- Answer ✔✔ -Magnesium citrate
• saline laxative
- Metamucil
• bulk laxative
- Mineral oil
• glycerin
- Dulcolax
• stimulating laxative
, Colace
• emollient
3) Laxative Type: Bulk Producers -- Answer ✔✔ -Therapeutic Response Time
• 1-3 days
- Examples
• Methylcellulose
• Psyllium
• Polycarbophil
4) Laxative Type: Osmotic Laxatives -- Answer ✔✔ -Therapeutic Response Time
• 2-12 hours depending on dose
- Examples
• Magnesium hydroxide
• Magnesium sulfate
• Magnesium citrate
• Sodium phosphate
• Polyethylene glycol
• Lactulose
5) Laxative Type: Stimulant Laxatives -- Answer ✔✔ -Therapeutic Response Time
• 6-12 hours
- Examples
• Bisacodyl
• Senna
• Castor Oil
6) Laxative Type: Surfactant Laxatives -- Answer ✔✔ -Therapeutic Response Time
• 1-3 days
- Examples
• Docusate sodium
• Docusate calcium
7) Laxative Type: Others -- Answer ✔✔ -Therapeutic Response Time
• 1-3 days
, - Examples
• Castor oil
• Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution
• Lactulose
• Lubiprostone
8) Use precaution with ___________ in older adults due to increased risk of lipoid
pneumonia caused by aspiration. Also, use caution in pregnancy. -- Answer ✔✔
lubricants
9) Patients with severe cardiovascular disease and anal fissures should use caution
with ___________. This type of laxative is contraindicated in patients with
abdominal pain, obstruction, and nausea/vomiting with fever. -- Answer ✔✔
stimulant laxatives
10) ___________ should be used with caution in patients with renal dysfunction,
cardiovascular disease, dehydration, and diabetes mellitus (can cause
hyperglycemia). These agents are contraindicated in older adults, and patients
with heart failure. -- Answer ✔✔ Saline agents
11) Laxative abuse -- Answer ✔✔ -usually associated with a belief that more bowel
movements are needed
• may stem from a perception that daily bowel movements equate to
or demonstrate good health
• may also stem from an over-use of laxatives to aid weight loss
- can lead to health issues and chronic constipation
- referral to a behavioral health provider may be necessary
- Health issues that may arise:
• diminished defecation reflexes
• electrolyte imbalance
• dehydration
• colitis
12) The parent of a child with cerebral palsy reports that the child has pebble-like
stools most of the time and seems uncomfortable if several days have passed
between stools. Which of the following medications should be recommended to
alleviate the child's constipation?
