Pharm exam 2-- Bowel disorders and other GI Conditions Exam Questions With Verified Answers

Pharm exam 2-- Bowel disorders and other GI Conditions Exam Questions With Verified Answers What is one of the most common GI disorders? - answerConstipation-- hundreds of millions of dollars a year are spent on laxatives What is the function of the colon? - answer- Absorbs water and electrolytes (1500 mL of fluid enters colon each day-- 90% of fluid is absorbed) - Delayed transport through colon causes excessive fluid absorption and hard stool - Frequency of bowel elimination varies widely (from 2 to 3 times/day to 2 times/week) What can constipation be defined as? - answer- Hard stools, infrequent stools, excessive straining, prolonged effort, sense of incomplete evacuation, unsuccessful defecation - in more severe forms, it can lead to : fecal inpaction, complete obstruction of bowel - Acute pain and abdominal distention: potential bowel obstruction and paralytic ileus-- these 2 are medical emergencies! What is the primary medication to prevent constipation? - answerLaxatives What do laxatives do? - answer- increase the frequency and quality of bowel movements - promote defecation-- production of soft, formed stool over 1 or more days - commonly used to prevent and treat constipation What is another type of laxative? - answerCathartic laxative What do Cathartic laxatives do? - answer- immediate relief from constipation - Implies accelerated, stronger, and more complete bowel emptying - Prompt, fluid evacuation of the bowel What are laxatives sometimes used for? - answerProphylaxis What is prophylaxis? - answerdrug that's used to prevent disease or infections Why would laxatives be used as a prophylaxis? - answer- patients who have had a MI or patients with rectal pathology who should not be straining - patients receiving drug therapies that have constipation as a known adverse effect - patients who are bedridden or otherwise unable to exercise - patients who are pregnant - older patients with weak abdominal or perineal muscles What are different treatments wanted to be achieved by taking laxatives? - answer- relieve simple, chronic constipation - cleanse the bowel prior to diagnostic or surgical procedues of the colon or genitourinary tract - relieve opioid-induced constipation What are the causes of laxative abuse? - answer-Misconception that bowel movements must occur daily -Can perpetuate their own use (dependency) - Bowel replenishment after evacuation can take 2 to 5 days; often mistaken for constipation - Eating disorder (weight loss) Consequences of overusing laxatives? - answer- Diminished defecatory reflexes, leading to further reliance on laxatives - Electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, colitis What are the contraindications to laxative use? - answer- Abdominal pain, nausea, cramps, or other symptoms of appendicitis, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis or other serious problems - Acute surgical abdomen - Fecal impaction or bowel obstruction - Habitual use - Rule out acute abdominal pathology prior to administration-- drugs will increase colon pressure and possibly cause bowel perforation What are the classifications of laxatives? - answer- Bulk-forming laxatives - Saline/osmotic laxatives - Stimulant laxatives - Surfactant laxatives What is a bulk-forming laxative drug? - answerPsyllium (Metamucil) What is the function of Psyllium? - answerFunctions similarly to dietary fiber: swell with water to form a gel that softens and increases fecal mass