A patient who has had four to five liquid stools per day for 4 ...

[jeatrice]

A patient who has had four to five liquid stools per day for 4 days is seen by the primary care NP. The patient asks about medications to stop the diarrhea. The NP tells the patient that antidiarrheal medications are:
 
  a. not curative and may prolong the illness.
  b. useful in cases of acute infection with elevated temperature.
  c. most beneficial when symptoms persist longer than 2 weeks.
  d. useful when other symptoms, such as hematochezia, develop.

Question 2

A primary care NP prescribes a nonselective NSAID for a patient who has osteoarthritis. The patient expresses concerns about possible side effects of this medication.
 
  When counseling the patient about the medication, the NP should tell this patient: a. to avoid taking antacids while taking the NSAID.
  b. to take each dose of the NSAID with a full glass of water.
  c. that a few glasses of wine each day are allowed while taking the NSAID.
  d. to decrease the dose of the NSAID if GI symptoms occur.

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Answer to Question 1

A
Treatment of patients with acute diarrhea with antidiarrheals can prolong infection and should be avoided if possible. Antidiarrheals are best used in patients with mild to moderate diarrhea and are used for comfort and not cure. They should not be used for patients with bloody diarrhea or high fever because they can worsen the disease. Prolonged diarrhea can indicate a more serious cause, and antidiarrheals should not be used in those cases.

Answer to Question 2

B
To avoid GI distress associated with NSAIDs, a full glass of water is recommended. Patients may take NSAIDs with antacids. Patients should avoid alcohol while taking NSAIDs. Patients should report GI symptoms to their provider.

[jeatrice]

Excellent

[cpetit11]

TYSM