A nurse is taking a history on a clinic patient who reports being ...

[Sportsfan2111]

A nurse is taking a history on a clinic patient who reports being constipated.
 
  Upon further questioning, the nurse learns that the patient's last stool was 4 days ago, that it was of normal, soft consistency, and the patient defecated without straining. The patient's abdomen is not distended, and bowel sounds are present. The patient reports usually having a stool every 1 to 2 days. What will the nurse do?
  a. Ask about recent food and fluid intake.
  b. Discuss the use of polyethylene glycol (MiraLax).
  c. Recommend a bulk laxative.
  d. Suggest using a bisacodyl (Dulcolax) suppository.

Question 2

A nursing student is caring for a patient who is taking sucralfate (Carafate) and ciprofloxacin (Cipro) to treat peptic ulcer disease. The student asks the nurse about the pharmacokinetics of sucralfate.
 
  Which statement by the student indicates a need for further teaching?
  a. Sucralfate adheres to the ulcer and blocks the back-diffusion of hydrogen ions.
  b. Sucralfate and ciprofloxacin should be administered 1 hour apart.
  c. Sucralfate does not cause systemic side effects.
  d. Sucralfate has a moderate acid-neutralizing capacity.

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Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Constipation cannot necessarily be defined by the frequency of bowel movements, because this varies from one individual to another. Constipation is defined in terms of a variety of symptoms, including hard stools, infrequent stools, excessive straining, prolonged effort, and unsuccessful or incomplete defecation. A common cause of constipation is diet, especially fluid and fiber intake; therefore, when changes in stool patterns occur, patients should be questioned about food and fluid intake. Because this patient has only more infrequent stools and is not truly constipated, laxatives are not indicated.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Sucralfate does not have any acid-neutralizing capacity, so this statement is incorrect. The other statements about sucralfate are correct.

[Sportsfan2111]

Excellent

[carlsona147]

TYSM