Gastrointestinal Medication (Chapter 53)

The nurse determines the client needs further instruction on cimetidine if which statements were made? Select all that apply. 1. "I will take the cimetidine with my meals." 2. "I'll know the medication is working if my diarrhea stops." 3. "My episodes of heartburn will decrease if the medication is effective." 4. "Taking the cimetidine with an antacid will increase its effectiveness." 5. "I will notify my health care provider if I become depressed or anxious." 6. "Some of my blood levels will need to be monitored closely since I also take warfarin for atrial fibrillation."

1,2,4 Rationale: Cimetidine, a histamine (H2)-receptor antagonist, helps to alleviate the symptom of heartburn, not diarrhea. Because cimetidine crosses the blood-brain barrier, central nervous system side and adverse effects, such as mental confusion, agitation, depression, and anxiety, can occur. Food reduces the rate of absorption, so if cimetidine is taken with meals, absorption will be slowed. Antacids decrease the absorption of cimetidine and should be taken at least 1 hour apart. If cimetidine is concomitantly administered with warfarin therapy, warfarin doses may need to be reduced, so prothrombin and international normalized ratio results must be followed.

A client with Crohn's disease is scheduled to receive an infliximab infusion. What intervention by the nurse will determine the effectiveness of the treatment? 1. Monitoring the leukocyte count for 2 days after the infusion 2. Checking the frequency and consistency of bowel movements 3. Checking serum liver enzyme levels before and after the infusion 4. Carrying out a Hematest on gastric fluids after the infusion is completed

2 Rationale: The principal manifestations of Crohn's disease are diarrhea and abdominal pain. Infliximab is an immunomodulator that reduces the degree of inflammation in the colon, thereby reducing the diarrhea. Options 1, 3, and 4 are unrelated to this medication. Test-Taking Strategy: Focus on the subject, treatment for Crohn's disease, and note the strategic word, effectiveness. Eliminate option 4 because gastric bleeding is not a characteristic of Crohn's disease. Monitoring the leukocyte count and liver enzyme levels is appropriate when infliximab is given but not to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment, eliminating options 1 and 3.

An older client recently has been taking cimetidine. The nurse monitors the client for which most frequent central nervous system side effects of this medication. 1. Tremors 2. Dizziness 3. Confusion 4. Hallucinations

3 Rationale: Cimetidine is a histamine (H2)-receptor antagonist. Older clients are especially susceptible to central nervous system side effects of cimetidine. The most frequent of these is confusion. Less common central nervous system side effects include headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and hallucinations.

A client has an as-needed prescription for loperamide hydrochloride. For which condition should the nurse administer this medication? 1. Constipation 2. Abdominal pain 3. An episode of diarrhea 4. Hematest-positive nasogastric tube drainage

3 Rationale: Loperamide is an antidiarrheal agent. It is used to manage acute and chronic diarrhea in conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease. Loperamide also can be used to reduce the volume of drainage from an ileostomy. It is not used for the conditions in options 1, 2, and 4. Test-Taking Strategy: Focus on the subject, the action of loperamide. Recalling that this medication is an antidiarrheal agent will direct you to the correct option.

A client has begun medication therapy with pancrelipase. The nurse evaluates whether the medication has the optimal intended benefit and which effect is observed. 1. Weight Loss 2. Relief of heartburn 3. Reduction of steatorrhea 4. Absence of abdominal pain

3 Rationale: Pancrelipase is a pancreatic enzyme used in clients with pancreatitis as digestive aid. The medication should reduce the amount of fatty stools (steatorrhea). Another intended effect could be improved nutritional status. It is not used to treat abdominal pain or heartburn. Its use could result in weight gain but should not result in weight loss if it is aiding in digestion.

Aclient with a peptic ulcer is diagnosed with a Heli- cobacter pylori infection. The nurse is teaching the client about the medications prescribed, including clarithromycin, esomeprazole, and amoxicillin. Which statement by the client indicates the best understanding of the medication regimen? 1. "My ulcer will heal because these medications will kill the bacteria." 2. "These medications are only taken when I have pain from my ulcer." 3. "The medications will kill the bacteria and stop the acid production." 4. "These medications will coat the ulcer and decrease the acid production in my stomach."

3 Rationale: Triple therapy for H. pylori infection usually includes 2 antibacterial medications and a proton pump inhibitor. Clarithromycin and amoxicillin are antibacterials. Esomeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor. These medications will kill the bacteria and decrease acid production.

The nurse has given instructions to a client who has just been prescribed cholestyramine. Which state- ment by the client indicates a need for further instruction? 1. "I will continue taking vitamin supplements." 2. "This medication will help to lower my cholesterol." 3. "This medication should only be taken with water." 4. "A high-fiber diet is important while taking this medication."

3 Rationale: Cholestyramine Bile Acid Sequestrant Used To Lower the cholesterol level, and client compliance is a problem because of its taste and palatability. The use of flavored products or fruit juices can improve the taste. Some side effects of bile acid sequestrants include constipation and decreased vitamin absorption.

A client has an as-needed prescription for ondansetron. For which condition(s) should the nurse administer this medication? 1. Paralytic ileus 2. Incisional pain 3. Urinary retention 4. Nausea and vomiting

4 Rationale: Ondansetron is an antiemetic used to treat postop- erative nausea and vomiting, as well as nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. The other options are incorrect reasons for administering this medication.

A client with a gastric ulcer has a prescription for sucralfate 1 gram by mouth 4 times daily. The nurse should schedule the medication for which times? 1. With meals and at bedtime 2. Every 6 hours around the clock 3. One hour after meals and at bedtime 4. One hour before meals and at bedtime

4 Rationale: Sucralfate is a gastric protectant. The medication should be scheduled for administration 1 hour before meals and at bedtime. The medication is timed to allow it to form a protective coating over the ulcer before food intake stimulates gastric acid production and mechanical irritation. The other options are incorrect.

A client has been taking omeprazole for 4 weeks. The ambulatory care nurse evaluates that the client is receiving the optimal intended effect of the medication if the client reports the absence of which symptom? 1. Diarrhea 2. Heartburn 3. Flatulence 4. Constipation

2 Rationale: Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor classified as an antiulcer agent. The intended effect of the medication is relief of pain from gastric irritation, often called heartburn by clients. Omeprazole is not used to treat the conditions identified in options 1, 3, and 4.

A client who uses nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has been taking misoprostol. The nurse determines that the misoprostol is having the intended therapeutic effect if which finding is noted? 1. Resolved diarrhea 2. Relief of epigastric pain 3. Decreased platelet count 4. Decreased white blood cell count

2 Rationale: The client who uses NSAIDs is prone to gastric mucosal injury. Misoprostol is a gastric protectant and is given specifically to prevent this occurrence in clients taking NSAIDs frequently. Diarrhea can be a side effect of the medication but is not an intended effect. Options 3 and 4 are unrelated to the purpose of misoprostol.

A client has a new prescription for metoclopra- mide. On review of the chart, the nurse identifies that this medication can be safely administered with which condition? 1. Intestinal obstruction 2. Peptic ulcer with melena 3. Diverticulitis with perforation 4. Vomiting following cancer chemotherapy

4 Rationale: Metoclopramide is a gastrointestinal stimulant and antiemetic. Because it is a gastrointestinal stimulant, it is contraindicated with gastrointestinal obstruction, hemorrhage, or perforation. It is used in the treatment of vomiting after surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.