NURS 6521 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY
TEST PAPER QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
SOLUTIONS 2026 ALREADY PASSED GRADED
A+
◉ Laxatives. Answer: Used to ease or stimulate defecation
Soften the stool
Increase stool volume
Hasten fecal passage through the intestine
Facilitate evacuation from the rectum
*Misuse comes from misconceptions of what constitutes normal bowel
function
◉ Fiber Laxatives. Answer: absorbs water, softening feces and
increasing their mass. Can be digested by colonic bacteria, whose
subsequent growth increases fecal mass. ex. Bran, veggies and fruits.
Meds: mehylcellulose, psyllium, polycarbophil
◉ Surfactant Laxatives. Answer: Meds: Docusate sodium (Colace)
Docusate calcium (Surfak)
temporary treatment of constipation
,* avoid if narrowing of intestines
Give with a full glass of water or juice
◉ Osmotic Laxatives. Answer: Salts draw water into the intestine
causing fecal mass to soften and swell stimulating peristalsis. Low dose
6-12 hours, high dose 2-6 hours.
magnesium hydroxide,
magnesium citrate,
polyethylene glycol,
lactulose (can be used to lower blood ammonia in liver disease)
* Increase fluid intake. Not good for kidney disease. Sodium phosphate
exacerbates cardiac disease.
◉ Stimulant Laxatives. Answer: bisacodyl: (tablets: give at night to have
BM in am , no crushing or chewing, no milk or antacids;Suppositories:
BM within 15-60 min, may cause proctitis);
senna: BM 6-12 hours after. May cause pink or brown urine.
castor oil: acts on small intestine 2-6 hour BM. Limit to only when prep
for radiology procedures. Chill and mix in juice.
* easily abused,
Give with a full glass of water.
, ◉ Miscellaneous Laxatives. Answer: Lubiprostone, mineral oil, glycerin
suppository, polyethylene glycol- electrolyte solution, Sodium
picosulfate / magnesium oxide/anhydrous citric acid
◉ antiemetic. Answer: a medication that is administered to prevent or
relieve nausea and vomiting
◉ Ondesetron
Class: 5HT3 receptor antagonist. Answer: Zofran
Indication: Chemotherapy N/V, postoperative N/V, radiation induced
N/V
Oral or Parental
* Prolonges QT interval (leading to torsades de pointes)
◉ Glucocorticoids used as antiemetic. Answer: Not approved by FDA.
Solumedrol and dexamethasone. Given IV.
◉ Metoclopramide (Reglan). Answer: controls post-op NV
suppresses emesis and increases upper GI mobility
◉ Cannabinoids. Answer: Dronabinol (marinol) and Nabilone (cesamet).
Suppresses CINV.
TEST PAPER QUESTIONS AND DETAILED
SOLUTIONS 2026 ALREADY PASSED GRADED
A+
◉ Laxatives. Answer: Used to ease or stimulate defecation
Soften the stool
Increase stool volume
Hasten fecal passage through the intestine
Facilitate evacuation from the rectum
*Misuse comes from misconceptions of what constitutes normal bowel
function
◉ Fiber Laxatives. Answer: absorbs water, softening feces and
increasing their mass. Can be digested by colonic bacteria, whose
subsequent growth increases fecal mass. ex. Bran, veggies and fruits.
Meds: mehylcellulose, psyllium, polycarbophil
◉ Surfactant Laxatives. Answer: Meds: Docusate sodium (Colace)
Docusate calcium (Surfak)
temporary treatment of constipation
,* avoid if narrowing of intestines
Give with a full glass of water or juice
◉ Osmotic Laxatives. Answer: Salts draw water into the intestine
causing fecal mass to soften and swell stimulating peristalsis. Low dose
6-12 hours, high dose 2-6 hours.
magnesium hydroxide,
magnesium citrate,
polyethylene glycol,
lactulose (can be used to lower blood ammonia in liver disease)
* Increase fluid intake. Not good for kidney disease. Sodium phosphate
exacerbates cardiac disease.
◉ Stimulant Laxatives. Answer: bisacodyl: (tablets: give at night to have
BM in am , no crushing or chewing, no milk or antacids;Suppositories:
BM within 15-60 min, may cause proctitis);
senna: BM 6-12 hours after. May cause pink or brown urine.
castor oil: acts on small intestine 2-6 hour BM. Limit to only when prep
for radiology procedures. Chill and mix in juice.
* easily abused,
Give with a full glass of water.
, ◉ Miscellaneous Laxatives. Answer: Lubiprostone, mineral oil, glycerin
suppository, polyethylene glycol- electrolyte solution, Sodium
picosulfate / magnesium oxide/anhydrous citric acid
◉ antiemetic. Answer: a medication that is administered to prevent or
relieve nausea and vomiting
◉ Ondesetron
Class: 5HT3 receptor antagonist. Answer: Zofran
Indication: Chemotherapy N/V, postoperative N/V, radiation induced
N/V
Oral or Parental
* Prolonges QT interval (leading to torsades de pointes)
◉ Glucocorticoids used as antiemetic. Answer: Not approved by FDA.
Solumedrol and dexamethasone. Given IV.
◉ Metoclopramide (Reglan). Answer: controls post-op NV
suppresses emesis and increases upper GI mobility
◉ Cannabinoids. Answer: Dronabinol (marinol) and Nabilone (cesamet).
Suppresses CINV.
