A nurse is educating a newly licensed nurse about the side effects of medications.
Which medication can lead to constipation?
Iron supplements
Magnesium-containing antacids
Anticholinergics/Antispasmodics
Opioid narcotics
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale:
Iron supplements Iron supplements are commonly used to treat or prevent iron deficiency anemia. While beneficial in relieving iron deficiency, iron pills can cause side effects like constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dark stools, stomach cramps, and a metallic taste. However, constipation is not the primary side effect of iron supplements.
Choice B rationale:
Magnesium-containing antacids Magnesium-containing antacids are used to relieve the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), heartburn, or indigestion. By neutralizing stomach acid, antacids relieve symptoms such as burning behind the breast bone or throat area caused by acid reflux, a bitter taste in the mouth, a persistent dry cough, pain when lying down, or regurgitation. While these antacids can cause diarrhea, they do not typically lead to constipation.
Choice C rationale:
Anticholinergics/Antispasmodics Anticholinergics and antispasmodics are used to relieve cramps or spasms of the stomach, intestines, and bladder. Some are used together with antacids or other medicines in the treatment of peptic ulcers. Others are used to prevent nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness. While these medications can cause a variety of side effects, constipation is not a primary side effect.
Choice D rationale:
Opioid narcotics Opioids, also known as narcotics, are a class of drugs healthcare providers prescribe to manage moderate to severe pain, as well as chronic coughing and diarrhea. Common side effects of narcotics include constipation, decreased sweating, dizziness, dry mouth, nose, throat, or skin. Therefore, opioid narcotics are the medication most likely to lead to constipation among the options provided.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Collecting urine from the catheter’s port is not the correct procedure when collecting a urine specimen for culture and sensitivity through straight catheterization. The port is not a sterile environment and could contaminate the specimen, leading to inaccurate results.
Choice B rationale:
Using a sterile specimen container is the correct procedure. This ensures that the specimen is not contaminated by any external bacteria or substances, which could affect the results of the culture and sensitivity test. The container must be sterile to prevent the growth of microbes that are not present in the urine sample. This helps to ensure that the results of the culture are accurate and reflect the microbes present in the urine, not those introduced during collection.
Choice C rationale:
Inflating the balloon with sterile water is not a step in this procedure. The balloon is part of an indwelling catheter, not a straight catheter. An indwelling catheter remains in the bladder for a longer period, and the balloon is inflated to keep it in place. A straight catheter is used for a single voiding or to obtain a sterile urine specimen.
Choice D rationale:
Instructing the patient to clean from front to back with an antiseptic solution is not a step in this procedure. While maintaining cleanliness is important, this specific instruction is more relevant to a clean-catch midstream urine specimen, not a specimen collected through straight catheterization.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Caffeinated beverages are known to cause diarrhea. Caffeine naturally occurs in many foods and drinks, including coffee and chocolate. It speeds up the digestive system and can cause loose stools. In addition, caffeine can irritate the stomach lining during digestion. Therefore, it’s important for the nurse to educate the patient about the potential effects of caffeinated beverages on their digestive system.
Choice B rationale:
Low-fiber cereal is not typically associated with triggering diarrhea. In fact, foods that are low in fiber can actually help firm up stools and are often recommended for individuals experiencing diarrhea. Therefore, while it’s not harmful, it’s not a primary concern for patients with diarrhea.
Choice C rationale:
White rice is another food that does not typically cause diarrhea. Similar to low-fiber cereal, white rice can help firm up stools and is often recommended for individuals experiencing diarrhea. It’s not a primary concern for patients with diarrhea.
Choice D rationale:
Ripe bananas do not typically cause diarrhea. They are actually part of the BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast), which is often recommended for individuals experiencing diarrhea. Therefore, it’s not a primary concern for patients with diarrhea.
In conclusion, when educating a patient about food and drinks that can trigger diarrhea, the nurse should include caffeinated beverages as they can potentially cause diarrhea. However, low-fiber cereal, white rice, and ripe bananas are not typically associated with triggering diarrhea.
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