GI Medications

Question 1

Laxatives

Answer 1

○ Lactulose
○ Bisacodyl
○ Milk of magnesia
○ Polyethylene glycol
○ Senna - stimulant laxative

Question 2

Stool Softeners

Answer 2

Docusate - makes existing stool softer

Question 3

Antidiarrheal

Answer 3

○ Loperamide
○ Bismuth subsalicylate

Question 4

Antiemetics

Answer 4

Nausea will decrease - not fixing the problem, just addressing syndromes

○ Promethazine
○ Ondansetron* - push slowly
○ Polyethylene Glycol - PO - give cold + no straw

Indication: Nausea/vomiting

Action: blocks effects of serotonin on vagal nerve and CNS

Nursing Considerations:
● Administer slowly → fast push = QT prolongation and VT

Question 5

Proton Pump Inhibitors

Answer 5

(-zole)
○ Pantoprazole
○ Omeprazol*

Indication: GERD, ulcers
Action: prevents the transport of H ions into the gastric lumen by binding to gastric parietal cells to decrease gastric acid production; ↓ stomach acid

Nursing Considerations:
● Administer 30-60 minutes before meal
● Report black, tarry stools* (GI bleed, ulcer)
● Can cause hypomagnesemia - pt may need to take Mg supplements

Question 6

Acid Reducers

Answer 6

H2 Receptor Blockers [“-dine”] (Antihistamine section refer*)
- Take w/ food → takes 30 - 90 min to start working

Proton Pump Inhibitors [“-prazole”]
- Take 30 min before 1st meal of the day

GI Protectant - Sucralfate* - barrier over would so acid can’t get on ulcer
- Take on empty stomach (2 hrs after meal / 1 hr before meal)
- @ least 30 min apart from PPI + H2 agonists

Antacids
- Take when stomach: empty + @ bedtime bc it protects the ulcer

Question 7

Antacids

Answer 7

Neutralize stomach acid - acts as buffer in acid environment of stomach = increases pH in stomach

Calcium carbonate
Magnesium hydroxide
Bismuth subsalicylate