Drugs And The GI Tract

Question 1

What are the main causes of indigestion and acid reflux

Answer 1

Overeating, spicy food, alcohol, smoking, pregnancy, ulcers, anxiety and stress

Question 2

What are the main symptoms of gastro-oesophageal of reflux disorder?

Answer 2

Heartburn in the middle of the chest, sour mouth

Question 3

What is the symptoms of stomach ulcers?

Answer 3

Pain and bleeding

Question 4

What are the causes of stomach ulcers

Answer 4

Bacterial infections H pylori,
NSAIDs
Smoking 
Zollinger- elision syndrome 
Anxiety and stress

Question 5

Antacids are liquids or tablet, containing calcium, aluminium and magnesium salts, name a few examples of these drugs and explain how they work to relieve symptoms

Answer 5

Examples are Rennies, Maalox

Act to neutralise the stomach acid, PH is reduced also decreases pepsin activity

Question 6

Some antacid also have other things added into the medicine for example Asilone and Altacite plus, have simeticone added in, explain what this does on top of neutralising the acid ?

Answer 6

It alters the surface tension of small bubbles of gas which allows the formation of large bubbles which can then be got rid of

Question 7

Another ingredients that can be added to a antacid is Alginates, give and example of a drug that includes this and explain its mechanism

Answer 7

Example is Gaviscon, Gastrocote and it reacts with gastric juices to form raft that floats on top and protects oesophagus from stomach content

Question 8

What are the nursing points to remember with antacids ?

Answer 8

Take 1 hr before or after food and 2 hrs between other medication
Monitor electrolytes balance
Sleep of left hand side + shoulders proped up

Question 9

What are H2 receptors antagonist mechanism of action ?

Answer 9

Block H2 histamine receptors on cells in stomach, which reduce acid production.

Question 10

Examples of H2 receptor antagonists?

Answer 10

Cimetidine or famotide

Question 11

Antispasmodic such as dicycloverine reduces intestinal spasm in what ??

Answer 11

Irritable bowel

Question 12

Antacids relieve?

Answer 12

Dyspepsia (indigestion)

Question 13

Opioid derivatives may be used to treat

Answer 13

Acute diarrhoea

Question 14

What Is the proton pump inhibitors mechanism of action ?

Answer 14

It inhibits the the proton pump from pumping H+ ions into the stomach where it would normally combine with Cl and form acid, this doesn’t happen so less acid in stomach

Question 15

What are the main symptoms of indigestion?

Answer 15

Discomfort or pain in the stomach, bloating, burping, nausea, heartburn

Question 16

What are the nursing notes to remember with H2 antagonist ?

Answer 16

Work quickly, do you not take at the same time as antacids, usually take before bedtime, check for blood in stool dizziness and headache

Question 17

What are the nursing notes to remember with PPI’s?

Answer 17

Give 30 mins before food, do not crush or chew, interfere with metabolism of diazepam, warfarin and with absorption of digoxin and ampicillin

Question 18

Helicobactor pylori is a bacteria that thrives in _____. It causes stomach _______. To treat there is a combination of 2 __________ and something to reduce _________ _________. Eg clarythromycin, amoxicillin and a PPI or H2 antagonist

Answer 18

Acid, ulcers, antibiotics, acid secretion

Question 19

Nursing notes to remember when giving antibiotics for Helicobactor pylori?

Answer 19

Penicillin allergy- no amoxicillin, clarythromycin + metronidazole may give abnormal taste
Metronidazole- no alcohol
Amoxicillin- diarrhoea

Question 20

What does NSAIDS stand for ?

Answer 20

Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs

Question 21

Misoprostol is example of what kind of drugs and what is its mechanism?

Answer 21

Synthetic prostaglandin, that prevents acid production and stimulates muscous release, as NSAIDS inhibts cox which produces prostaglandins

Question 22

Sulcralfate reacts with acid to form what kind of paste and why does is do this ? + side effects

Answer 22

Sticky thick paste which coats the ulcer, constipation, nausea and vomiting

Question 23

Antispasmodic act in the _______ to relax the ________ to treat ________ _______ disease and diverticular disease

Answer 23

Intestines, smooth muscle, irritable bowel

Question 24

Example of drugs used for antispasmodic is ?

Answer 24

Antimuscarinic drugs as they block M1 receptors that normally cause contraction

Question 25

Antimuscarinic drugs side effects ?

Answer 25

Dry mouth and constipation, elderly confusion

Question 26

Which drug would be used for gut mobility stimulants ? And where is there site on action ?

Answer 26

Intestines and dopamine receptor agonists, they increase peristalsis, relax pyloric sphincter

Question 27

Gut mobility stimulants are used for ??? And examples ?

Answer 27

Nausea vomiting, irritable bowl, dyspepsia

Example; metoclopramide

Question 28

What is the first line treatment for acute diarrhoea ?

Answer 28

Oral rehydration therapy

Question 29

What is a example of a drug that will treat diarrhoea?

Answer 29

Loperamide - decreases peristalsis in small and large intestine
Decreases explosive contractions within the colon

Question 30

Side effects of diarrhoea drugs ?

Answer 30

Nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, constipation, abnormal abdominal discomfort, caution with alcohol and manage/monitor electrolyte balance and fluid intake

Question 31

Bulk forming laxatives are used for ?

Answer 31

Those with colostomy or in pregnancy and they increase faecal mass, need to take fluid! Eg ispaghula husk

Question 32

Stimulant laxatives are used for ?

Answer 32

Short amount of time, increase peristalsis if used to much can cause a lazy bowl eg bisacodly, rapid action

Question 33

Osmotic laxatives ?

Answer 33

Large sugars that draw water into gut, makes stools softer and easier to pass eg macrogols