GI Medications

Question 1

client teaching:

• Give 30 minutes before chemo or one hour before radiation.
• May cause headache
• Do not give oral tablets the clients with phenylketonuria Because they contain aspartame which forms phenylalanine.

Answer 1

GI medications
Stops nausea & vomiting

Ondansetron

Question 2

Client teaching
Psychiatric medication that can be used for nausea.
Because false positive pregnancy test.

Answer 2

GI medications
Stops nausea and vomiting

Promethazine

Question 3

Client teaching
Used for motion sickness or dizziness.
Take one hour before traveling.

Answer 3

GI medications
Stops nausea and vomiting

Meclizine

Question 4

Client teaching

• used for ingestion of poison/overdose (not routinely recommended)
• Call poison control center first to make sure administration is safe.

Answer 4

GI medications
STARTS nausea and vomiting

Ipecac Syrup

Question 5

Client teaching

• Watch for constipation; this may also cause rebound constipation.
• Be cautious if giving to clients with C-difficile or Infectious diarrhea.
• Take 30 minutes before a meal.

Answer 5

GI medications
Stops Diarrhea

Loperamide

Question 6

Client teaching

• PO Laxative given to reduce ammonia levels (encephalopathy); Works within 15 minutes. Contains sugars (lactose).
• Use with caution and clients with diabetes.

Answer 6

GI medications
STARTS Diarrhea

Lactulose

Question 7

Client teaching
Rectal or PO laxative given to reduce potassium levels; works within 15 minutes.
Do not give if client has paralytic issues.

Answer 7

GI medications
STARTS Diarrhea

Polystyrene Sulfonate

Question 8

Client teaching

• Dietary fiber to cause fecal matter to expand and increase bowel movements.
• Mix with 8 ounces of water.

Answer 8

GI medications
STARTS Diarrhea

Psyllium

Question 9

Client teaching

Stool softener; take several days to work.

Answer 9

GI medications
STARTS Diarrhea

Docusate sodium

Question 10

Client teaching

Stool softener salts that cause stool to expand in intestine.

Answer 10

GI medications
STARTS Diarrhea

Magnesium hydroxide salts

Question 11

• Give one hour after meals with a full glass of water.
• Can decrease effects of antibiotics due to blocking absorption of medication.
• Can cause hyperkalemia.

Answer 11

GI medications
Stops Stomach Acid

Antacids
Calcium carbonate

Question 12

• Used to prevent ulcers and reduces stomach acid.

- Give with or before meals.

Answer 12

GI medications
Stops Stomach Acid

Histamine 2 blocker (H2 blockers)
Famotidine, Cimetidine

Question 13

• Take 60 minutes before meals.
• Do not chew.
• May cause liver failure.

Answer 13

GI medications
Stops Stomach Acid

Proton pump Inhibitors
Omeprazole, pantoprazole, other drugs ending in “prazole”

Question 14

• Chew tablets.

- Take after meals.

Answer 14

GI medications
Stops Stomach Acid

Simethicone
Simeticone

Question 15

1. Give PO and take on an empty stomach.
2. Do not crush or chew.
3. May cause hyperglycemia.
4. Do not give with warfarin or phenytoin.

Answer 15

GI medications
Protects the mucosal lining of the stomach

Sucralfate

Question 16

GI medications

REMEMBER

Answer 16

If you have a client on multiple G.I. medications (for example Proton pump in Hibbett door, antacids, etc.), give them one hour apart from each other.