Medication Exam - GI Drugs

Question 1

Antiemetic and Antihistamine - Dimenhydrinate and Diphenhydramine

Answer 1

Dimenhydrinate - anticholinergic activity

Effective for N and V caused by motion sickness

AE:
Drowsiness
Anticholinergic effects

Question 2

Ondansetron/Zofran - Serotonin receptor antagonist

For chemo induced N and V, severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy

AE:
Headache
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Constipation
Diarrhea

Answer 2

Very well tolerated

Assess for cause of N and V

Assess hydration level

Eat small meals

Avoid spicy foods, noxious odors

Reduce physical activity

Treat pain

Maintain fluid intake to prevent dehydration

Encourage adherence for post-chemo meds

Question 3

H2 antagonist - Ranitidine

Very safe, few interactions or side effects

For PUD and GERD

AE:
Headache
Dizziness
Drowsiness

Answer 3

Can be used PRN
for heartburn

Encourage smoking cessation - decreases meds effectiveness

Monitor reduction in RBC, WBC AND PLATELETS

Monitor for bradycardia and allergic reactions

It can potentially interact with absorption of drugs and vitamins that need an acidic environment - separate as much as possible

Question 4

PPI - Omeprazole

More effective than H2 antagonists

Recently otc

Very safe

Longer duration of action than H2 - less dosing

Answer 4

Don’t work quickly than H2

Not effective for heartburn

AE:
Limited to headache
Diarrhea
Flatulence
Nausea
Abd pain

Long term ae: decrease in bone mineral density

Question 5

Metronizadole

Answer 5

For H Pylori

Question 6

PUD AND GERD Monitoring

Answer 6

Assess initial symptoms and current meds

Assess for PRN meds

GI bleeding - vomiting of blood or coffee ground emesis

Signs of bowel distention

Need for lifestyle modification - stop smoking, avoid spicy foods, avoid alcohol and reducing stress

Ensure pt finishes antibiotic

Avoid giving acid reducing meds along with other meds - separate by 2h

Avoid Mg and Al antacids in pts with kidney problems

Question 7

Corticosteroid - Budesonide - long acting

Specific for IBD

Encapsulated - avoid significant absorption

Answer 7

Monitor for pain, symptoms, response to treatment

Monitor immunosuppresant effects

Question 8

Corticosteroid - Hydrocortisone

Reduce itch and inflammation - hemorrhoids

Answer 8

Safe if less than 14 days of continued use

Longer use AE:
Mucosal atrophy