Lilley Chapter 51: Bowel Disorder
Drugs Exam Questions and Answers
(Latest Update 2026)
The nurse is giving oral mineral oil as an ordered laxative dose. The
nurse will take measures to prevent which potential problem that
may occur with mineral oil?
a. Fecal impaction
b. Electrolyte imbalances
c. Lipid pneumonia
d. Esophageal blockage -
correct answer ✅ANS: C
Lipid pneumonia may occur if the oral mineral oil is accidentally
aspirated into the respiratory tract. The other options are incorrect.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application) REF: p. 820
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and
Parenteral Therapies
When administering a bulk-forming laxative, the nurse instructs the
patient to drink the medication mixed in a full 8-ounce glass of
water. Which statement best explains the rationale for this
instruction?
,Lilley Chapter 51: Bowel Disorder
Drugs Exam Questions and Answers
(Latest Update 2026)
a. The water acts to stimulate bowel movements.
b. The water will help to reduce the bulk of the intestinal contents.
c. These laxatives may cause esophageal obstruction if taken with
insufficient water.
d. The water acts as a lubricant to produce bowel movements. -
correct answer ✅ANS: C
Bulk-forming drugs increase water absorption, which results in
greater total volume (bulk) of the intestinal contents. Bulk-forming
laxatives tend to produce normal, formed stools. Their action is
limited to the gastrointestinal tract, so there are few, if any,
systemic effects. However, they need to be taken with liberal
amounts of water to prevent esophageal obstruction and fecal
impaction.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application) REF: p. 820
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
A patient will be taking bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) to
control diarrhea. When reviewing the patient's other ordered
, Lilley Chapter 51: Bowel Disorder
Drugs Exam Questions and Answers
(Latest Update 2026)
medications, the nurse recognizes that which medication or
medication class will interact significantly with the Pepto-Bismol?
a. Hypoglycemic drugs
b. Antibiotics
c. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
d. Antidepressants -
correct answer ✅ANS: A
Taking hypoglycemic drugs with an adsorbent such as bismuth
subsalicylate may result in decreased absorption of the
hypoglycemic drugs. The other options are incorrect.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 816
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
A patient is about to undergo a diagnostic bowel procedure. The
nurse expects which drug to be used to induce total cleansing of
the bowel?
a. Docusate sodium (Colace)
b. Lactulose (Enulose)
Drugs Exam Questions and Answers
(Latest Update 2026)
The nurse is giving oral mineral oil as an ordered laxative dose. The
nurse will take measures to prevent which potential problem that
may occur with mineral oil?
a. Fecal impaction
b. Electrolyte imbalances
c. Lipid pneumonia
d. Esophageal blockage -
correct answer ✅ANS: C
Lipid pneumonia may occur if the oral mineral oil is accidentally
aspirated into the respiratory tract. The other options are incorrect.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application) REF: p. 820
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and
Parenteral Therapies
When administering a bulk-forming laxative, the nurse instructs the
patient to drink the medication mixed in a full 8-ounce glass of
water. Which statement best explains the rationale for this
instruction?
,Lilley Chapter 51: Bowel Disorder
Drugs Exam Questions and Answers
(Latest Update 2026)
a. The water acts to stimulate bowel movements.
b. The water will help to reduce the bulk of the intestinal contents.
c. These laxatives may cause esophageal obstruction if taken with
insufficient water.
d. The water acts as a lubricant to produce bowel movements. -
correct answer ✅ANS: C
Bulk-forming drugs increase water absorption, which results in
greater total volume (bulk) of the intestinal contents. Bulk-forming
laxatives tend to produce normal, formed stools. Their action is
limited to the gastrointestinal tract, so there are few, if any,
systemic effects. However, they need to be taken with liberal
amounts of water to prevent esophageal obstruction and fecal
impaction.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application) REF: p. 820
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
A patient will be taking bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) to
control diarrhea. When reviewing the patient's other ordered
, Lilley Chapter 51: Bowel Disorder
Drugs Exam Questions and Answers
(Latest Update 2026)
medications, the nurse recognizes that which medication or
medication class will interact significantly with the Pepto-Bismol?
a. Hypoglycemic drugs
b. Antibiotics
c. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
d. Antidepressants -
correct answer ✅ANS: A
Taking hypoglycemic drugs with an adsorbent such as bismuth
subsalicylate may result in decreased absorption of the
hypoglycemic drugs. The other options are incorrect.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 816
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
A patient is about to undergo a diagnostic bowel procedure. The
nurse expects which drug to be used to induce total cleansing of
the bowel?
a. Docusate sodium (Colace)
b. Lactulose (Enulose)
