Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a potential adverse effect of excessive doses of opioids?
What is a potential adverse effect of excessive doses of opioids?
Which of the following is a typical adverse effect of anticholinergic drugs?
Which of the following is a typical adverse effect of anticholinergic drugs?
Which type of diarrhea lasts more than 3 weeks and is often associated with symptoms like fever and weight loss?
Which type of diarrhea lasts more than 3 weeks and is often associated with symptoms like fever and weight loss?
What should not be given to children younger than age 16 due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome?
What should not be given to children younger than age 16 due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the mechanism of action of anticholinergics in treating diarrhea?
What is the mechanism of action of anticholinergics in treating diarrhea?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one of the main mechanisms by which opioids help treat diarrhea?
What is one of the main mechanisms by which opioids help treat diarrhea?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a potential cause of acute diarrhea?
Which of the following is NOT a potential cause of acute diarrhea?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary action of adsorbents in the gastrointestinal tract?
What is the primary action of adsorbents in the gastrointestinal tract?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary purpose of laxatives in gastrointestinal treatment?
What is the primary purpose of laxatives in gastrointestinal treatment?
Signup and view all the answers
Which class of antidiarrheal drugs helps to adsorb excess fluid in the intestine?
Which class of antidiarrheal drugs helps to adsorb excess fluid in the intestine?
Signup and view all the answers
Which complication is characterized by cracks in the anal lining resulting from constipation?
Which complication is characterized by cracks in the anal lining resulting from constipation?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the mechanism of action for bulk-forming laxatives?
What is the mechanism of action for bulk-forming laxatives?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of laxative can lead to dependency if overused, resulting in a condition referred to as 'lazy bowel'?
Which type of laxative can lead to dependency if overused, resulting in a condition referred to as 'lazy bowel'?
Signup and view all the answers
Which osmotic laxative example is utilized for producing rapid bowel evacuation, particularly before diagnostic procedures?
Which osmotic laxative example is utilized for producing rapid bowel evacuation, particularly before diagnostic procedures?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a significant risk associated with the use of saline laxatives?
What is a significant risk associated with the use of saline laxatives?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is a key feature of fecal softeners?
Which of the following is a key feature of fecal softeners?
Signup and view all the answers
Which laxative type requires careful dosing to achieve the desired effect without causing dehydration?
Which laxative type requires careful dosing to achieve the desired effect without causing dehydration?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary action of stimulant laxatives?
What is the primary action of stimulant laxatives?
Signup and view all the answers
What characterizes acute diarrhea?
What characterizes acute diarrhea?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following contributes to the classification of chronic diarrhea?
Which of the following contributes to the classification of chronic diarrhea?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one of the mechanisms by which opioids act in treating diarrhea?
What is one of the mechanisms by which opioids act in treating diarrhea?
Signup and view all the answers
Which agents are utilized to treat constipation?
Which agents are utilized to treat constipation?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of diarrhea is caused primarily by microbial agents?
What type of diarrhea is caused primarily by microbial agents?
Signup and view all the answers
What adverse effect is associated with excessive doses of opioids?
What adverse effect is associated with excessive doses of opioids?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a typical effect of anticholinergics?
Which of the following is NOT a typical effect of anticholinergics?
Signup and view all the answers
Which component of bismuth subsalicylate is associated with a known risk when given to young individuals?
Which component of bismuth subsalicylate is associated with a known risk when given to young individuals?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following statements about adsorbents is true?
Which of the following statements about adsorbents is true?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common effect of antidiarrheal agents that include opioids?
What is a common effect of antidiarrheal agents that include opioids?
Signup and view all the answers
What complication of constipation involves cracks in the anal lining?
What complication of constipation involves cracks in the anal lining?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of laxative works by increasing osmotic pressure to draw water into the intestines?
Which type of laxative works by increasing osmotic pressure to draw water into the intestines?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common effect of overusing laxatives over time?
What is a common effect of overusing laxatives over time?
Signup and view all the answers
Which compound is NOT an example of a saline laxative?
Which compound is NOT an example of a saline laxative?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key inability associated with fecal softeners?
What is a key inability associated with fecal softeners?
Signup and view all the answers
Which laxative class requires the longest timeframe for action?
Which laxative class requires the longest timeframe for action?
Signup and view all the answers
Which condition should contraindicate the use of laxatives?
Which condition should contraindicate the use of laxatives?
Signup and view all the answers
What outcome does the use of stimulant laxatives primarily induce?
What outcome does the use of stimulant laxatives primarily induce?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Antidiarrheals and Laxatives
- Antidiarrheals and laxatives are gastrointestinal (GI) drugs
- GI drugs alter gastrointestinal tract motility
- Antidiarrheal drugs decrease motility or decrease smooth muscle tone
- Laxatives/Purgatives accelerate food passage through the intestine
Objectives
- Understand causes of secretions and motility changes in the lower intestines, leading to diarrhoea and constipation
- Describe the different types of agents used to treat diarrhoea
- Describe the different types of agents used to treat constipation
- Develop an understanding of related client care
Diarrhea
- Abnormal passage of stools, characterized by increased frequency, fluidity, and increased stool water excretion
- Acute diarrhoea: sudden onset in previously healthy individuals, lasts 3-2 weeks, self-limiting, and resolves without complications
- Causes of acute diarrhoea include microbial, drug-induced, and nutritional factors
- Chronic diarrhoea: lasts more than 3 weeks; associated with recurring diarrhoea, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and chronic weakness
- Causes of chronic diarrhoea include tumours, diabetes, hormonal imbalances (hyperthyroidism, Addison's disease), and irritable bowel syndrome
Bristol Stool Chart
- Categorizes stool consistency (from hard lumps to completely liquid)
- Different stool types are associated with different conditions (constipation or diarrhoea)
Antidiarrheal Drugs
- Opioids (e.g., loperamide)
- Mechanism: Activating opioid receptors in the GI tract to decrease bowel motility, increasing transit time for water and electrolyte absorption, and decreasing secretions.
- Adverse effects: drowsiness, sedation, dizziness, lethargy, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, constipation, respiratory depression, bradycardia, palpitations, hypotension, urinary retention, flushing, rash, and urticaria
- Adsorbents (e.g., bismuth subsalicylate, activated charcoal)
- Mechanism: Coat the walls of the GI tract and bind to causative bacteria or toxins, which are then eliminated through the stool. May also inhibit intestinal secretions.
- Adverse effects of bismuth subsalicylate include constipation, dark stools, a dark tongue, metallic taste, and blue gums. Do not give bismuth subsalicylate to children under 16 or teenagers with viral infections (e.g., chicken pox), the increased risk of Reye's syndrome
- Anticholinergics (e.g., atropine, scopolamine):
- Mechanism: Antagonist at cholinergic receptors, which decrease diarrheal muscle cramping. -Adverse effects include CNS excitation (dizziness, confusion, anxiety), blurred vision, photophobia, increased intraocular pressure, dry mouth, dry skin, tachycardia, constipation, and urinary retention/hesitancy
Constipation
- Abnormally infrequent and difficult passage of feces through the lower GI tract.
- Constipation is a symptom, not a disease
- Causes of constipation include diet, disease, and drugs
- Related complications include hemorrhoids (enlarged rectal veins), anal fissure (cracks in the lining of the anus), fecal impaction (manual removal frequently required), rectal prolapse (rectal tissue pushed out), and "lazy bowel"
Laxatives
-
Types of laxatives include bulk-forming, osmotic, stool softeners/emollients, and stimulant laxatives
-
Bulk-forming laxatives: high fiber substances that absorb water, increasing bulk in the stool and initiating reflex bowel activity. Examples: methylcellulose (e.g., Citrucel), psyllium (e.g., Metamucil), and polycarbophil
-
Osmotic laxatives: hyperosmotic compounds: increase fecal water content, cause bowel distension, increase peristalsis, and promote evacuation. Examples include lactulose, polyethylene glycol (e.g., Restoralax), and sorbitol, also glycerin enema/suppositories
-
Saline laxatives: increase osmotic pressure in the intestinal tract, causing water to enter the intestines, increasing bowel distention, and increasing peristalsis and evacuation. Examples include magnesium sulfate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium citrate, and sodium phosphate enema
-
Stool softeners/emollients or surfactants increase the water content and fat content in the stool to make it softer. Examples include docusate sodium
-
Stimulant laxatives increase peristalsis via intestinal nerve stimulation and increased fluid secretion into the intestine. Examples include Senna, cascara, bisacodyl, and castor oil
-
Client care for laxative use:
- Consume bulk-forming laxatives with a full glass of water to prevent esophageal obstruction
- Emphasize high-fiber diet, adequate fluid intake, and exercise as alternatives to laxative use.
- Avoid long-term laxative use, as it can lead to decreased bowel tone and potential dependence.
- Do not take laxatives if experiencing nausea, vomiting, and/or abdominal pain.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
This quiz covers essential concepts related to antidiarrheal and laxative medications, focusing on gastrointestinal drug functions and their effects on motility. Understand the causes of diarrhoea and constipation, treatment options, and client care considerations. Assess your knowledge on these pivotal GI drugs through various questions.
