ATI Gastrointestinal System
A nurse is planning teaching for a client who has been prescribed loperamide to treat diarrhea. Which of the following statements should the nurse plan to include? "Avoid driving or activities requiring alertness." "If you miss a dose, double the next dose." "Rinsing the mouth with alcohol-based mouthwash can reduce dryness." "Having one glass of wine each night can improve medication effectiveness."
"Avoid driving or activities requiring alertness." Loperamide, an opioid agonist, can cause sedation and dizziness. The nurse should instruct the client to avoid taking it before activities that require alertness.
A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for sulfasalazine. Which of the following statements should the nurse make? "Use sunscreen and protective clothing while taking sulfasalazine to prevent sunburn." "The medication can stain your contact lenses green." "The medication can color your urine dark brown." "Take an iron supplement when you take sulfasalazine to prevent anemia."
"Use sunscreen and protective clothing while taking sulfasalazine to prevent sunburn." Photosensitivity is a possible adverse effect of sulfasalazine that makes the skin sensitive to light. The nurse should instruct the client to wear sunscreen and protective clothing when outdoors to prevent burning.
A nurse should recognize that misoprostol is contraindicated for a client who has which of the following conditions? A seizure disorder Rheumatoid arthritis A positive pregnancy test Heart failure
A positive pregnancy test Misoprostol, a prostaglandin E1 analog, is a teratogenic drug. It can cause uterine contractions and induce spontaneous abortion; therefore, providers must confirm that clients are not pregnant before prescribing the drug; and clients who take misoprostol must use contraception.
A health care professional is caring for a patient who is about to begin taking alosetron (Lotronex) to treat irritable bowel syndrome. The health care professional should tell the patient to report which of the following adverse effects? Headache Drowsiness Abdominal pain Sore throat
Abdominal pain Alosetron, a serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, can cause ischemic colitis. The nurse should tell the client to report abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, or rectal bleeding, and to stop taking the drug if these manifestations occur.
A nurse is caring for a client who is taking allopurinol to treat gout and has a new prescription for azathioprine to treat ulcerative colitis. For which of the following reasons should the nurse clarify these prescriptions with the provider? Allopurinol delays the conversion of azathioprine and can lead to toxicity. Azathioprine increases the effectiveness of allopurinol. Allopurinol increases the metabolism of azathioprine and can require an increased dosage. Azathioprine decreases the effectiveness of allopurinol.
Allopurinol delays the conversion of azathioprine and can lead to toxicity. Allopurinol delays the conversion of azathioprine to an inactive form and can lead to toxicity. If used concurrently, the dose of azathioprine must be reduced.
which of the following drugs has protocols that require patients to meet specific risk management criteria and sign a treatment agreement before the health care professional can administer the drug? Lubiprostone Azathioprine Sulfasalazine Alosetron
Alosetron Clients who take alosetron, a serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, can develop severe constipation that can lead to impaction, bowel obstruction, perforation, and potentially fatal ischemic colitis. Because of these risks, nurses must inform clients of the benefits and risks of the drug therapy, and clients must sign a treatment agreement.
A nurse is caring for a client who has peptic ulcer disease. The nurse should monitor the client's phosphorus levels when administering which of the following drugs? Omeprazole Aluminum hydroxide Sucralfate Ranitidine
Aluminum hydroxide Antacids that contain aluminum, such as aluminum hydroxide, can cause hypophosphatemia because of aluminum's ability to bind with phosphate and decrease its absorption. The nurse should monitor the client's phosphorus levels while administering this drug.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for ranitidine to treat GERD. The nurse should instruct the client to wait at least 1 hr between taking ranitidine and which of the following over-the-counter drugs? Ginkgo biloba Antidiarrheals St. John's wort Antacids
Antacids Antacids can decrease the absorption of ranitidine, a histamine2-receptor antagonist. The nurse should instruct the client to wait at least 1 hr between taking ranitidine and taking an antacid.
A nurse should recognize that sulfasalazine is contraindicated for clients who have which of the following conditions? Pancreatitis Aspirin sensitivity Bronchitis GERD
Aspirin sensitivity Any sensitivity to salicylates, sulfonamides, or trimethoprim is a contraindication for the use of sulfasalazine, a 5-aminosalicylate. This is because intestinal bacteria metabolize the drug into 5-aminosalicylic acid, a salicylate. Aspirin is also a salicylate.
A nurse is planning teaching for a client who has been prescribed loperamide to treat diarrhea. Which of the following statements should the nurse plan to include? Dissolve the powder thoroughly in 8 oz (237 mL) of water. Take with diphenhydramine to prevent extrapyramidal effects. Avoid activities that require alertness. Take 30 min before activities that trigger nausea.
Avoid activities that require alertness. Loperamide can cause drowsiness and dizziness. The client should avoid driving or activities requiring alertness while taking the drug.
A nurse is assessing a client who was administered ondansetron IV 1 hr ago. Which of the following findings should the nurse recognize as an adverse effect of this drug? Dizziness Bradycardia Tardive dyskinesia Dyspepsia
Dizziness Dizziness and lightheadedness are the most common adverse effects of ondansetron.
A nurse should recognize that diphenoxylate/atropine should be used with caution for a client who has which of the following conditions? Inflammatory bowel disease Thrombophlebitis Agranulocytosis Immunization with a live virus vaccine within the last 6 weeks
Inflammatory bowel disease Diphenoxylate is an opioid, which can cause the severe complication of toxic megacolon in clients who have inflammatory bowel disease. The nurse should have the client monitor the consistency and frequency of stools throughout therapy.
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has a new prescription for ranitidine. The nurse should recognize that which of the following drugs interacts with ranitidine? Phenobarbital sodium Ketoconazole Lisinopril Hydrochlorothiazide
Ketoconazole Ranitidine reduces the absorption of ketoconazole.
A health care professional is caring for an older adult patient who is about to begin taking cimetidine (Tagamet) and has renal impairment . The health care professional should tell the patient to report which of the following adverse reactions? Lethargy Cellulitis Dry mouth Myalgia
Lethargy Cimetidine, a histamine2 receptor antagonist, can cause CNS effects, such as lethargy, depression, confusion, and seizures, especially in older adults. The nurse should instruct the client to report these manifestations. If they persist, the provider may prefer to prescribe ranitidine for the client.
A nurse is caring for a client who is taking lubiprostone. The nurse should tell the client that lubiprostone can cause which of the following adverse drug reactions? Nausea Constipation Urinary retention Sore throat
Nausea Lubiprostone, a chloride channel activator, can cause nausea. Clients who develop this effect do not need to discontinue the drug but should take it with food and water to minimize GI upset.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for alosetron. The nurse should recognize that alosetron therapy is effective when the client reports which of the following? One formed stool per day Urination without burning Cessation of nausea or vomiting Reduced GI reflux effects
One formed stool per day Alosetron, a serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, treats the diarrhea and pain of severe irritable bowel syndrome. One formed stool per day indicates effective therapy.
A nurse is teaching a client who recently had a myocardial infarction and has a new prescription for docusate sodium. The nurse should inform the client that docusate sodium has which of the following therapeutic effects? Reduces inflammation Reduces gastric acid Prevents diarrhea Prevents straining
Prevents straining Docusate sodium, a stool softener, prevents straining during defecation and prevents the elevation in blood pressure that can result from straining. It also helps relieve constipation and reduces the painful elimination of hard stools.
A nurse is administering sulfasalazine to a client. Which of the following data should the nurse collect to help identify an adverse drug reaction? (Select all) Level of consciousness Skin integrity Temperature Urine output CBC
Skin integrity temperature CBC Level of consciousness is incorrect. Sulfasalazine, a 5-aminosalicylate, is unlikely to affect level of consciousness. Metoclopramide, a dopamine antagonist, is a GI-system drug that can cause sedation.Skin integrity is correct. Sulfasalazine can cause a skin rash, so the nurse should check the client's skin for rashes. The drug can also cause nausea. If the client reports nausea, the nurse should suggest taking the drug with food or water.Temperature is correct. Sulfasalazine can cause a fever, so the nurse should check the client's temperature and treat fever with an antipyretic.Urine output is incorrect. Sulfasalazine is unlikely to affect urine output, although it can cause an orange-yellow discoloration of urine and skin.CBC is correct. Sulfasalazine can cause hematologic disorders, such as agranulocytosis and hemolytic and macrocytic anemia. The nurse should check the client's CBC periodically during therapy and tell the client to report sore throat or fatigue.
A nurse is caring for a client who is taking phenytoin for a seizure disorder and has a new prescription for sucralfate to treat a duodenal ulcer. The nurse should instruct the client to take the drugs at least 2 hr apart for which of the following reasons? Phenytoin increases the metabolism of sucralfate. Phenytoin reduces the effectiveness of sucralfate. Sucralfate increases the risk for phenytoin toxicity. Sucralfate interferes with the absorption of phenytoin.
Sucralfate interferes with the absorption of phenytoin. Sucralfate decreases the absorption of phenytoin. The nurse should instruct the client to allow at least 2 hr between taking the two drugs and should monitor the client's phenytoin levels.
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for omeprazole to treat a duodenal ulcer. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include? Take the drug with food. Swallow the capsules whole. Dissolve the tablets in water. Take the drug at bedtime.
Swallow the capsules whole. Omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, is unstable in stomach acid. The nurse should tell the client to swallow the capsules or tablets whole and not chew the delayed-release tablets.
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for dimenhydrinate to prevent motion sickness. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include? (Select all) Sit upright for 30 min after taking the drug. Avoid antacids. Take the drug 30 to 60 min before activities that trigger nausea. Avoid activities that require alertness. Increase fluid and fiber intake.
Take the drug 30 to 60 min before activities that trigger nausea. Avoid activities that require alertness. Increase fluid and fiber intake. Sit upright for 30 min after taking the drug is incorrect. Dimenhydrinate, an antihistamine, is unlikely to cause esophagitis, so this precaution is unnecessary. Alendronate, a bisphosphonate that treats osteoporosis, is a drug that requires sitting upright for 30 min after taking it because it can cause esophagitis.Avoid antacids is incorrect. Dimenhydrinate does not interact specifically with antacids. Antacids can decrease the absorption of ranitidine, another GI-system drug.Take the drug 30 to 60 min before activities that trigger nausea is correct. The nurse should instruct the client to take dimenhydrinate 30 to 60 min before activities that trigger nausea, and again before meals and at bedtime.Avoid activities that require alertness is correct. Dimenhydrinate can cause sedation. The nurse should instruct the client to avoid activities that require alertness.Increase fluid and fiber intake is correct. Dimenhydrinate can cause anticholinergic effects, such as dry mouth and constipation. The nurse should instruct the client to increase activity level, and fluid and fiber intake.
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is about to start taking psyllium to treat constipation. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include? (Select all) Expect results in 6 to 12 hr. Urinate every 4 hr. Take the drug with at least 8 oz (237 mL) of fluid. Avoid activities that require alertness. Increase fluid and fiber intake.
Take the drug with at least 8 oz (237 mL) of fluid. Increase fluid and fiber intake. Expect results in 6 to 12 hr is incorrect. Psyllium, a fiber supplement, typically results in soft, formed bowel movements 1 to 3 days after beginning therapy.Urinate every 4 hr is incorrect. Psyllium is unlikely to cause urinary retention. Atropine can cause anticholinergic effects, such as urinary retention, and can require scheduled urination to help prevent this effect.Take the drug with at least 8 oz (237 mL) of fluid is correct. To prevent esophageal obstruction, clients should take psyllium with at least 8 oz of fluid; and after mixing the powdered form, clients should drink it immediately.Avoid activities that require alertness is incorrect. Psyllium is unlikely to cause sedation or dizziness. Prochlorperazine is a GI-system drug that can cause sedation and requires avoiding activities that require alertness.Increase fluid and fiber intake is correct. The nurse should tell the client to increase activity, fluid intake, and fiber intake, and to keep track of bowel function.
A nurse is caring for a male client who asks the nurse about taking alosetron for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) lasting 3 months. Which of the following information should the nurse provide the client about alosetron? The drug is prescribed to female clients who have IBS-D lasting more than 6 months. The drug is prescribed to clients who have chronic diarrhea lasting more than 12 months. The drug is most beneficial for male clients who have inflammatory bowel disease. The drug is most beneficial in treating clients who have constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C).
The drug is prescribed to female clients who have IBS-D lasting more than 6 months. Alosetron is approved only to be prescribed to females who have IBS-D lasting 6 months or longer that has not been controlled by conventional treatment.
A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for methotrexate. The nurse should instruct the client to monitor for manifestations of which of the following? Constipation Gout Insomnia Hirsutism
gout An adverse effect of methotrexate is hyperuricemia, which causes gout. The nurse should instruct the client to drink plenty of fluids to minimize this effect, and to report edema or pain in the joints.
A health care professional is about to administer ondansetron (Zofran) to a patient who is receiving chemotherapy. Which of the following actions should the health care professional take? Select all that apply Infuse the drug 30 min prior to chemotherapy. Administer the drug when the client reports nausea. Infuse the drug slowly over 15 min. Administer the drug immediately following chemotherapy. Repeat the dose 4 hr after chemotherapy.
infuse the drug 30 min prior to chemotherapy infuse the drug slowly over 15 mins repeat the dose 4 hr after chemotherapy Infuse the drug 30 min prior to chemotherapy is correct. The nurse should administer IV ondansetron, a serotonin antagonist, 30 min prior to chemotherapy to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. When treating radiation-induced nausea and vomiting, the nurse should give the drug orally 1 to 2 hr prior to radiation therapy and again every 8 hr.Administer the drug when the client reports nausea is incorrect. Ondansetron prevents nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and anesthesia. The nurse should not wait until the client reports nausea to administer the drug.Infuse the drug slowly over 15 min is correct. The nurse should infuse ondansetron slowly over 15 min to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea.Administer the drug immediately following chemotherapy is incorrect. Administering ondansetron immediately following chemotherapy might not allow enough time for the drug to exert its antiemetic actions before the client begins to feel chemotherapy-induced nausea.Repeat the dose 4 hr after chemotherapy is correct. For maximum effectiveness, the nurse should administer ondansetron 4 hr after chemotherapy, and again 8 hr after chemotherapy. When treating anesthesia-induced nausea and vomiting, the nurse can give the drug 1 hr before anesthesia induction.
