PVN 106CR Pharm EAQ: GI Meds

A health care provider prescribes ranitidine (Zantac) for a client with heartburn. During a teaching session, which information will the nurse share with the client about how this drug works?

Ranitidine reduces gastric acidity in the stomach. Ranitidine (Zantac) inhibits histamine at H2-receptor sites in the stomach, resulting in reduced gastric acid secretion. Ranitidine reduces, rather than neutralizes, gastric acidity.

Famotidine (Pepcid) is prescribed for a client with peptic ulcer disease. The client asks the nurse what this medication does. How does the nurse respond?

"It inhibits gastric acid secretion." Famotidine decreases gastric secretion by inhibiting histamine at H2 receptors.

A client is prescribed ranitidine 150 mg daily to treat peptic ulcer disease (PUD). Which instruction would the nurse give to the client about when to take this medication?

At bedtime. Ranitidine is administered typically in a single dose at bedtime.

A client with chronic gastritis is being treated with medication and diet. What should the nurse teach the client when discussing the therapeutic regimen?

Avoid using analgesics that contain aspirin. Aspirin interferes with the gastric mucosa's natural protection from pepsin and hydrochloric acid, worsening the gastritis.

A client is to receive metoclopramide intravenously 30 minutes before initiating chemotherapy for cancer of the colon. The nurse explains that metoclopramide is given for what purpose?

Enhance relaxation of the upper gastrointestinal tract. The relaxation effect increases the passage of food through the gastrointestinal tract, limiting reverse peristalsis, gastroesophageal reflux, and vomiting, all of which are precipitated by chemotherapeutic agents.

A health care provider prescribes psyllium (Metamucil) 3.5 g twice a day for constipation. What is most important for the nurse to teach this client?

Each dose should be taken with a full glass of water. Because this drug has a strong affinity for fluids, it will swell in the intestine. The large bulk stimulates peristalsis. A full glass of fluid taken at the same time will help minimize the risk of esophageal obstruction or fecal impaction.

A nurse has provided teaching to a client with a newly prescribed proton pump inhibitor (PPI). The nurse determines that the teaching is effective when the client states that the medication is used for the treatment of what?

Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) PPIs are effective in decreasing the secretion of gastric acid, helping to alleviate symptoms of GERD.

Ranitidine (Zantac) has been prescribed to help treat a client's gastric ulcer. The nurse expects this drug to act specifically by doing what?

Inhibiting the histamine H 2 receptors. Ranitidine inhibits histamine at H2 receptor sites in parietal cells, which limits gastric secretion.

A health care provider prescribes daily docusate sodium (Colace) for a client. The nurse determines that the action of this drug in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is to do what?

Lower the surface tension of feces. The detergent action of docusate sodium promotes the drawing of fluid into the stool, which softens the feces.

The postoperative prescriptions for a client who had repair of an inguinal hernia include docusate sodium (Colace) daily. Before discharge, what does the nurse teach the client that an intermittent side effect of this medication may be?

Mild abdominal cramping. Mild abdominal cramping is the only side effect of docusate sodium; this emollient laxative permits water and fatty substances to penetrate and mix with fecal material.

After an acute episode of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, a client is diagnosed with gastric ulcer. The client receives a prescription for ranitidine (Zantac) 150 mg twice a day to be taken with meals. Why does the nurse contact the health care provider about the prescription?

Ranitidine can be administered by a variety of routes. It is necessary to clarify the route of administration because ranitidine can be given by mouth, intravenously, or intramuscularly; the health care provider's prescription is incomplete.

A health care provider prescribes bisacodyl (Dulcolax) for a client with cardiac disease. The nurse explains to the client that this drug acts by doing what?

Stimulating peristalsis. Bisacodyl stimulates nerve endings in the intestinal mucosa, precipitating a bowel movement. Bisacodyl is not a bulk cathartic. Bulk-forming laxatives, such as psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid (Metamucil), form soft, pliant bulk that promotes physiological peristalsis.

Which information should be included in the teaching plan for the elderly client with peptic ulcer disease who is taking an antacid and sucralfate?

Sucralfate should be taken on an empty stomach one hour before meals. Sucralfate works best in a low pH environment; therefore it should be given on an empty stomach either one hour before or two hours after meals.

A client diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is being treated with antacid therapy. When teaching the client about the therapy, the nurse reinforces what about antacid tablets?

They are known to interfere with the absorption of other drugs. Antacids interfere with absorption of drugs such as anticholinergics, barbiturates, tetracycline, and digoxin.