Antidiarrheals and Laxatives (Ch 82 + 83)

Question 1

All laxatives lead to?

Answer 1

Lead to softer stools

Question 2

How do adsorbent agents work? Ex?

Answer 2

-We are not fully sure but we assume that they:
-Coat the walls of the GI tract
-Bind to the causative bacteria or toxin, which is then eliminated through the stool

Examples: bismuth subsalicylate (pepto bismo)

Question 3

How do Fecal Softeners work? Ex?

Answer 3

-Stool softeners and lubricants
-Promote more water and fat in the stools
-Lubricate the fecal material and intestinal walls

Ex: docusate

Question 4

How do Opioids work as antidiarrheals?

Answer 4

1.) Decrease bowel motility (causes an increase in tone but doesn’t generate motility)
2.) Decrease secretions & increase fluid absorption

Question 5

What kind of agent is bismuth subsalicylate?

Answer 5

It is an adsorbent

Question 6

How do Bulk Forming laxative work? Ex of one?

Answer 6

-High fibre substances (non-digestable material)
-Absorbs water to increase bulk
-Distends bowel to initiate reflex bowel activity

methylcellulose

Question 7

How do Hyperosmotic compounds work? Ex?

Answer 7

Increase fecal water content

Ex:Lactulose
polyethyleneglycol (Restoralax)

Question 8

How do Osmotic Laxative work? What can they cause?

Answer 8

They are non-absorbable compounds or salt solutions that draw water into intestinal lumen

can cause substantial water loss = dehydration

Question 9

Bismuth adverse effects?

Answer 9

*Constipation
*Dark stools and tongue
Metallic taste, blue gums

Question 10

Client Care: Antidiarrheal Agents/who do we never give them to? why?

Answer 10

-DO NOT give bismuth subsalicylate to children younger than age 16 or teenagers with viral infections (eg chicken pox)
Reye’s syndrome

Question 11

What kind of agent is Senna?

Answer 11

it is a stimulant laxative

Question 12

How do stimulant laxatives work? Ex?

Answer 12

-Increases peristalsis via intestinal nerve stimulation
-Increase fluid secretion into intestine

Ex.) Senna

Question 13

How do Saline laxatives work? (simple salt solutions) Ex?

Answer 13

-Increase osmotic pressure within the intestinal tract, causing more water to enter the intestines

magnesium hydroxide

Question 14

What is methylcellulose?

Answer 14

It is a bulk form laxative

Question 15

What kind of agent is atropine? What can it cause?

Answer 15

Anticholinergics
it can cause HR to rise

Question 16

3 common antidiarrheal agens?

Answer 16

*Opioids (best agents we use)

Adsorbents

Anticholinergics (antispasmodic)

Question 17

what should clients taking bulk-laxative take? What does it prevent?

Answer 17

Clients should take bulk-forming laxatives with at least 240 mL of water (full glass)

prevents esophageal obstruction

Question 18

Ex of an Opioid thats used as an antidiarrheal?

Answer 18

loperamide (Imodium)

-You have opioid effect in the GI tract but not in the CNS (don’t get high)
-it’s poorly absorbed and has poor access to the CNS_

Question 19

What kind of laxative is docusate sodium?

Answer 19

It is a fecal softner

Question 20

Opioids: Adverse Effects?

Answer 20

Excessive doses can lead to typical opioid drug effects

Question 21

What can long-term use of laxatives lead to?

Answer 21

often results in decreased bowel tone and may lead to dependency