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P A R T 1 1
Drugs acting on the gastrointestinal system
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C H E C K Y O U R U N D E R S T A N D I N G
Answers to the questions in this chapter can be found in
Appendix A at the back of this book.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Select the best response to the following.
1.
Laxatives are drugs that are used to:
a.
increase the quantity of wastes excreted.
b.
speed the passage of the intestinal contents
through the GI tract.
c.
increase digestion of intestinal contents.
d.
increase the water content of the intestinal
contents.
2.
The laxative of choice when mild stimulation is
needed to prevent straining is:
a.
senna.
b.
castor oil.
c.
bisacodyl.
d.
magnesium sulphate.
3.
Cathartic dependence can occur when:
a.
people do not use laxatives routinely and
experience severe bouts of constipation.
b.
chronic laxative use leads to a reliance on the
intense stimulation of laxatives.
c.
people maintain a nutritious high-fibre diet.
d.
people start an exercise program to promote
bowel elimination.
4.
Drugs that stimulate parasympathetic activity are
used to increase GI activity and secretions. For
which of the following would this group be most
likely used?
a.
duodenal ulcers
b.
gastric ulcers
c.
gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
d.
poisoning, to induce nausea and vomiting
5.
The drug of choice for treating traveller’s diarrhoea is:
a.
loperamide.
b.
opium.
c.
bisacodyl.
d.
peppermint oil.
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
Select all that apply.
1.
A nurse or midwife is preparing a teaching plan for
a person who has been prescribed a laxative. The
teaching plan should include which of the following?
a.
the importance of proper diet and fluid intake
b.
the need to take the drug for several weeks to get
the full effect
c.
the importance of exercise
d.
the need to take advantage of natural reflexes
by providing privacy and time to allow them
to work
e.
the need to limit fluids
f.
the importance of limiting the duration of
laxative use
2.
A nurse or midwife might expect an order for liquid
paraffin for which person?
a.
a debilitated person low on nutrients
b.
a person with haemorrhoids
c.
a person with recent rectal surgery
d.
a child with encopresis
e.
a postpartum woman
f.
a person with Crohn’s disease
3.
When explaining the actions of laxatives to a
person, the nurse or midwife would state that they
can work by:
a.
acting as chemical stimulants.
b.
acting as lubricants of the intestinal bolus.
c.
acting to increase bulk of the intestinal bolus and
stimulate movement.
d.
stimulating CNS centres in the medulla to cause
GI movement.
e.
blocking the parasympathetic nervous system.
f.
causing central nervous system depression.
