Gi System Flashcards
Antacids treat what types of conditions and how do they treat it?
Treats peptic ulcers, and GERD (heartburn)
Neutralize is the stomach acid quickly, but is not long lasting
What medication class are these?
Sodium bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer)
calcium carbonate (Tums and Rolaids)
aluminum hydroxide
magnesium hydroxide (milk of mag)
Antacids
Side effects of antacids differ depending on which medication:
Calcium and aluminum cause constipation
Magnesium causes upset stomach, and diarrhea
Patient education for antacid:
Do not take with meals
Take one hour before or after other medication’s
Proton pump inhibitors (pantoprazole) are used to treat whcich conditions and how do they treat it?
Stress ulcers, gastric or duodenal ulcers, GERD
Suppresses production of gastric acid 
Side effects of proton pump inhibitors like (pantoprazole) include what:
❌Hint 4 P’s❌
Gi upset symptoms
-prazole suffix
Prevents holes (stress ulcers)
Porous bones (osteoporosis)
Possible Gi infections (cdiff)
Pantoprazole patient education:
PPI should be taken how many minutes before the first meal of the day?
Take what TWO supplements to prevent osteoporosis?
30 minutes before
Calcium and vitamin D
Pepsin inhibitors (Sucralfate) have one main side effects. What is this?
Constipation
Sucralfate….sucks to have constipation

Sucralfate is used for the prevention and short term treatment of duodenal ulcers. What are some patient education tips?
Avoid acid reducing medication for 30 minutes before taking Sucralfate
To help with constipation : fluids, fiber and fruits
Take on an empty stomach with a glass of water one hour before meals
How does sucralfate prevent ulcers?
Does not reduce stomach acid production, but forms of protective layer against acid in the GI mucosa
Loperamide is an anti-diarrheal and treats diarrhea. How does it treat diarrhea?
Decreases intestinal peristalsis.
 Loperamide has side effects similar to opioids. What are the side effects?
Constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, sedation, euphoric affect
Does not exhibit an analgesic property like opioids
Docusate sodium helps to relieve constipation. What is some patient education:
Do not administer within one hour of other drugs or milk
Do not use over a long term. No longer than one week.

Docusate sodium is a stool softener how does it soften stool?
What is a contraindication for this medication?
Soften stool by increasing water content, should be taken with a full glass of water
Contra indicated in those with bowel obstructions
Histamine receptor antagonist (famotidine) treat ulcers and GERD. What would you include for a patient education?
Take 30 minutes before meals
Prevention of Gerd:
Don’t over eat, decrease stress, don’t smoke, don’t take NSAIDs
How does famotidine work?
Long lasting relief…..decreasing gastric secretions by blocking H2 receptors in the stomach
Metoclopramide is a gastrointestinal stimulant which conditions does this treat?
Nausea and vomiting (commonly postop), GERD, gastric stasis (increases GI mobility and promotes stomach emptying)
Metoclopramide has a major risk for what condition?
❌only from long-term use❌
Extrapyramidal effects: tardive dyskinesia
Uncontrolled movement, involuntary movements of limbs, muscle rigidity, tremors
Often irreversible
Metoclopramide, G.I. stimulant, has what types of side effects?
Sedation, fatigue, restlessness, headache, sleeplessness, dry mouth, constipation
Ondansetron (antiemetics) treat and prevent nausea and vomiting…while on chemotherapy and radiation
 What is a serious adverse reaction to this medication?
 Torsades de pointes
A potentially fatal heart rhythm characterized by QT interval prolongation
MiraLAX, promotes bowel movement by what mechanism of action?
Osmotic agent cause water to be retained in the stool
This may cause loose watery stools as a side effect.
Produces bowel movement and one to three days
Prochlorperazine blocks dopamine and may block acetylcholine, to produce what effects?
N&V
Antipsychotic
Severe side effects have occurred when used to treat psychosis
Prochlorperazine client teaching includes?
Medication may cause photosensitivity
Avoid CNS depressants
Avoid extreme temps
Urine may change colors from reddish to brown 
Meclizine is a motion sickness medication, how long should you take this medication for for travel?
Proximately one hour.
Do not take with other CNS depressants and caution when operating heavy machinery
Meclizine is contraindicated in patients with what TWO condition?
Enlarged prostate and glaucoma
Aprepitant is used for what types of conditions?
Prevention of nausea and vomiting, associated with chemotherapy and surgery 
Scopolamine is used post operative for nausea and vomiting.
Also, motion sickness.
What are some side effects of this patch?
Dilation of pupils (blurred vision)
Skin burns
Bisacodyl is a stimulant laxative for constipation. What is the mechanism of action for this medication?
Causes the intestines to contract, which induces stool to move through the colon
Bisacodyl is a suppository.
What are some side effects?
Stomach cramps, dizziness, rectal burning.
Causes bowel movement and 15 minutes
A mineral oil enema is a laxative that produces bowel movement?
What is the mechanism of action?
Coats the stool to help seal in water
Mineral oil enema has side effects that include:
Stomach cramps, bloating, upset stomach, diarrhea
Mineral oil enema produces a bowel movement in how many minutes?
2 to 15 minutes
Lactobacillus replenishes normal bacterial flora in the stomach.
It is used for what condition?
Prevention of diarrhea.
Side effects include gas and bloating
Simethicone is used to treat?
Gas, bloating, pressure
No known side effects
Patient teaching for alternative gas expulsion:
Taper bean intake, change positions, avoid straws, ambulation
Metamucil (psyllium) is bulk forming to facilitate a bowel movement.
What are some patient teaching associated with Metamucil?
Mix in a minimum of 8 ounces of water
Admin at least two hours before or after other medication’s
Titrate dose up
Metamucil has what side effects?
Bloating and cramping
Hyoscyamine is an anti-cholinergic that works on the smooth muscle of the GI tract
What conditions is this medication contraindicated in?
Glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, and paralytic ileus
Hyoscyamine is used to treat what conditions?
Diarrhea.
Anticholinergic decreases peristalsis in Gi system
Pepto-Bismol works by coating the walls of the GI. tract to prevent further damage.
What is an adverse reaction that can happen in children?
Reyes syndrome

Pepto-Bismol should be avoided in patients that have an allergy to:
Salicylates (aspirin)
