2. Diarrhea and Constipation

Question 1

What types of stool are the goal?

Answer 1

3 or 4

Question 2

What are some main medications that cause constipation?

Answer 2

opioids
iron supplements
CCBs
antidepressants

Question 3

What are some lifestyle causes for constipation?

Answer 3

dehydration
inactivity
pregnancy
diet

Question 4

What are some disease states that cause constipation?

Answer 4

Colon cancer

IBS

Question 5

What are some “mush” agents?

Answer 5

PEG
emollients
non-digestible sugars
magnesium
Na, Mg, K phosphates
fiber

Question 6

What are some “push” agents?

Answer 6

- Agonists:
Senna
Cascara
bisacodyl
- Antagonists:
methylnaltrexone
alvimopan

Question 7

What are some “flush” agents?

Answer 7

PEG
soap suds
Na, Mg, K phosphates
molasses
non-digestible sugars
mineral oil

Question 8

What is the clinical definition of acute diarrhea?

Answer 8

abrupt onset of 3 or more loose stools per day and lasts no longer than 14 days

Question 9

What is the clinical definition of chronic/persistent diarrhea?

Answer 9

an episode of diarrhea that lasts longer than 14 days

Question 10

What is osmotic diarrhea?

Answer 10

water is drawn from the body into the bowel lumen

Question 11

What is secretory diarrhea?

Answer 11

water is released into the bowel lumen

Question 12

What is exudative diarrhea?

Answer 12

the presence of blood/pus in stool from inflammation

Question 13

What is the most common cause of diarrhea?

Answer 13

infection

Question 14

Most cases of diarrhea require treatment or are self-limiting?

Answer 14

self-limiting

Question 15

What is the main treatment for all types of diarrhea?

Answer 15

supportive (fluids)

Question 16

What are some medications for diarrhea?

Answer 16

bismuth subsalicylate
loperamide
atropine/diphenoxylate

Question 17

What is the treatment for Salmonella induced diarrhea?

Answer 17

not routinely recommended

Ciprofloxacin

Question 18

What is the treatment for Shigella induced diarrhea?

Answer 18

Bactrim or Ciprofloxacin

Question 19

What is the treatment for Campylobacter induced diarrhea?

Answer 19

Azithromycin

Question 20

What is the treatment for E.coli (non O157) induced diarrhea?

Answer 20

Ciprofloxacin

Question 21

What is the treatment for E.coli (O157) induced diarrhea?

Answer 21

no antimicrobial treatment

supportive care only

Question 22

What is the treatment for Vibrio paraharmoliticus induced diarrhea?

Answer 22

Doxycycline

Question 23

What is the treatment for Vibrio cholera induced diarrhea?

Answer 23

Doxycycline or single dose Fluoroquinolones

Question 24

What is the treatment for Yersinia enterocolitica induced diarrhea?

Answer 24

no antimicrobial treatment

Question 25

What is the treatment for Giardia lamblia induced diarrhea?

Answer 25

metronidazole

Question 26

What is the treatment for Cryptosporidium induced diarrhea?

Answer 26

no routine antimicrobial treatment | Severe: Paromomycin

Question 27

What is the treatment for Cyclospora induced diarrhea?

Answer 27

Bactrim

Question 28

What is the treatment for Microsporidium induced diarrhea?

Answer 28

Albendazole

Question 29

What is the treatment for Entamoeba histolytica induced diarrhea?

Answer 29

Metronidazole plus paromomycin