Pharmacology: Chapter 34: Drugs
Used to Treat Constipation and
Diarrhea Test Bank Questions and
Actual Answers 2025.
When the nurse assesses bowel habits in a patient, which is the best example of normal bowel
elimination?
a. Daily bowel movements
b. Multiple soft stools daily
c. Daily liquid stools
d. Regular bowel elimination pattern of soft stool - Answer d. Regular bowel elimination
pattern of soft stool
Normal bowel habits are stools that are soft and occur on a regular schedule of elimination for
that particular patient. Although this may be routine for some people, it is not normal for
everyone. Liquid stools are not considered normal.
Which drug would be most effective for an obstetric patient who is complaining of constipation
as a result of her enlarging uterus and use of prenatal vitamins?
a. Saline laxative
b. Lubricant laxative
c. Stimulant laxative
d. Mineral oil - Answer b. Lubricant laxative
Lubricant and bulk-forming laxatives may be used in the pregnant patient because little
cramping accompanies their use. Saline laxatives are not safe for a pregnant woman because of
the bowel distention and possible electrolyte imbalance they may cause. Stimulant laxatives are
too harsh for a pregnant woman because they may cause cramping. Mineral oil is not a good
laxative to use on a regular basis because it can cause malabsorption of vitamins.
The nurse is performing a premedication assessment. For which patient would laxative use be
contraindicated?
, d. Patient with fractured femur - Answer b. Patient with appendicitis
Patients who have a history of an inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including
gastritis, colitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and appendicitis, should not take laxatives
and should be referred to a healthcare provider. Quadriplegic and geriatric patients as well as
patients with fractures may generally take laxatives and stool softeners on a regular basis.
Which is the laxative of choice for an older patient who is in the end stage of Alzheimer's
disease and requires a daily laxative?
a. Emollient
b. Stimulant
c. Fecal softener
d. Bulk forming - Answer d. Bulk forming
Bulk-forming laxatives are considered the safest laxative for routine use because they cause
water to be retained within the stool, which increases bulk, and stimulates peristalsis. Emollient
laxatives reduce muscle tone and decrease peristalsis over time. Stimulant laxatives can cause
cramping and should not be used on a regular basis. Fecal softeners are not laxatives.
A friend reports using loperamide (Imodium) for continual diarrhea for a week since returning
home from a vacation outside the country. Which is the nurse's best response?
a. "There are some other over-the-counter products available for diarrhea, such as Kaopectate
(bismuth subsalicylate)."
b. "I'd stop taking the Imodium and go in to see a healthcare provider immediately. You may
have an infection in your intestinal tract."
c. "If you're not running a temperature, I wouldn't worry. That happens to many people when
they travel."
d. "As long as you can drink plenty of fluids, I'm sure the diarrhea will go away once you're back
in a normal routine." - Answer b. "I'd stop taking the Imodium and go in to see a healthcare
provider immediately. You may have an infection in your intestinal tract."
Diarrhea may be a defense mechanism to rid the body of infecting organisms or irritants.
Diarrhea is usually self-limiting and should not be suppressed with over-the-counter products. It
is safest for people who are suffering from diarrhea after traveling outside the country to visit
Used to Treat Constipation and
Diarrhea Test Bank Questions and
Actual Answers 2025.
When the nurse assesses bowel habits in a patient, which is the best example of normal bowel
elimination?
a. Daily bowel movements
b. Multiple soft stools daily
c. Daily liquid stools
d. Regular bowel elimination pattern of soft stool - Answer d. Regular bowel elimination
pattern of soft stool
Normal bowel habits are stools that are soft and occur on a regular schedule of elimination for
that particular patient. Although this may be routine for some people, it is not normal for
everyone. Liquid stools are not considered normal.
Which drug would be most effective for an obstetric patient who is complaining of constipation
as a result of her enlarging uterus and use of prenatal vitamins?
a. Saline laxative
b. Lubricant laxative
c. Stimulant laxative
d. Mineral oil - Answer b. Lubricant laxative
Lubricant and bulk-forming laxatives may be used in the pregnant patient because little
cramping accompanies their use. Saline laxatives are not safe for a pregnant woman because of
the bowel distention and possible electrolyte imbalance they may cause. Stimulant laxatives are
too harsh for a pregnant woman because they may cause cramping. Mineral oil is not a good
laxative to use on a regular basis because it can cause malabsorption of vitamins.
The nurse is performing a premedication assessment. For which patient would laxative use be
contraindicated?
, d. Patient with fractured femur - Answer b. Patient with appendicitis
Patients who have a history of an inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including
gastritis, colitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and appendicitis, should not take laxatives
and should be referred to a healthcare provider. Quadriplegic and geriatric patients as well as
patients with fractures may generally take laxatives and stool softeners on a regular basis.
Which is the laxative of choice for an older patient who is in the end stage of Alzheimer's
disease and requires a daily laxative?
a. Emollient
b. Stimulant
c. Fecal softener
d. Bulk forming - Answer d. Bulk forming
Bulk-forming laxatives are considered the safest laxative for routine use because they cause
water to be retained within the stool, which increases bulk, and stimulates peristalsis. Emollient
laxatives reduce muscle tone and decrease peristalsis over time. Stimulant laxatives can cause
cramping and should not be used on a regular basis. Fecal softeners are not laxatives.
A friend reports using loperamide (Imodium) for continual diarrhea for a week since returning
home from a vacation outside the country. Which is the nurse's best response?
a. "There are some other over-the-counter products available for diarrhea, such as Kaopectate
(bismuth subsalicylate)."
b. "I'd stop taking the Imodium and go in to see a healthcare provider immediately. You may
have an infection in your intestinal tract."
c. "If you're not running a temperature, I wouldn't worry. That happens to many people when
they travel."
d. "As long as you can drink plenty of fluids, I'm sure the diarrhea will go away once you're back
in a normal routine." - Answer b. "I'd stop taking the Imodium and go in to see a healthcare
provider immediately. You may have an infection in your intestinal tract."
Diarrhea may be a defense mechanism to rid the body of infecting organisms or irritants.
Diarrhea is usually self-limiting and should not be suppressed with over-the-counter products. It
is safest for people who are suffering from diarrhea after traveling outside the country to visit
