Osmotic Laxatives

Question 1

Osmotic Laxatives Drug Names

Answer 1

Magnesium sulfate
Magnesium Citrate
Magnesium hydroxide

Lactulose
Polyethylene glycol

Sodium picosulfate with magnesium oxide

Question 2

Osmotic Laxatives Therapeutic Actions

Answer 2

Draw more water into GI tract & stimulate increased GI motility

Question 3

Osmotic Laxatives Indications

Answer 3

Increased GI motility

Question 4

Osmotic Laxatives Contraindications and Cautions

Answer 4

Contraindications:
• Lactulose: appendicitis, acute surgical abdomen, fecal impaction, intestinal obstruction

Caution:
• Lactulose: Diabetes
• Magnesium: Renal insufficiency
• Polyethylene glycol: seizures

Question 5

Osmotic Laxatives DDI

Answer 5

DDI:
• Other prescriptions
• Magnesium: neuromuscular junction blockers

Question 6

Osmotic Laxatives Adverse Effects

Answer 6

• GI: diarrhea, abdominal cramping, abdominal bloating, nausea; dehydration: dry mouth
• CNS: dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, weakness
• Sweating, palpitations, flushing, fainting
• Rectal irritation

Question 7

Osmotic Laxatives:

Assessment

Answer 7

Hx: Allergy, lactation and pregnancy
Physical: vital signs, abdominal, fecal assessment or intestinal obstruction, acute abdominal pain, bowel sounds, elimination pattern, nausea or vomiting, neurological status, level of activity (baseline)
Labs: monitor results

Question 8

Osmotic Laxatives:

Diagnosis

Answer 8

• Acute pain
• Diarrhea
• Deficient knowledge regarding drug therapy

Question 9

Osmotic Laxatives:

Implementation

Answer 9

• Administer a laxative only as a temporary measure
• Arrange for appropriate dietary measures, exercise, and environmental controls
• Administer the oral form with a full glass of water and caution the patient not to chew tablets
• Administer bulk laxatives with plenty of water
• Insert rectal suppositories high into the rectum; encourage patients to retain enemas or rectal solution
• Do not administer in the presence of acute abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting
• Monitor bowel function
• Provide comfort and safety measures
• Provide thorough patient teaching

Question 10

Osmotic Laxatives:

Evaluation

Answer 10

Response to the drug 
Adverse effects
 Effectiveness of comfort measures
Compliance with regimen
Effectiveness of teaching plan