The healthcare provider has ordered 1000 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride to be administered intravenously over 5 hours. The drop factor on the tubing is 15 drops/mL. How many milliliters per hour will you administer and how many drops per minute?

A. Chronic diarrhea: Overuse of laxatives is more likely to cause chronic constipation rather than chronic diarrhea. While some types of laxatives can lead to diarrhea as a side effect, chronic diarrhea is less common with laxative overuse compared to chronic constipation.

B. Chronic constipation
When the smooth muscle in the colon loses its tone due to overuse of laxatives, it can lead to chronic constipation. Laxatives work by stimulating bowel movements, but frequent or excessive use can lead to dependency and decreased natural bowel function. Over time, the colon may become less responsive to normal stimuli, resulting in difficulty passing stool and chronic constipation.

C. Frequent vomiting: Overuse of laxatives is not directly associated with frequent vomiting. Vomiting can occur as a result of various gastrointestinal issues, but it is not a typical consequence of laxative overuse.

D. Chronic nausea: While gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea may occur as a side effect of some laxatives, chronic nausea is not a common consequence of laxative overuse. It is more likely to result from other underlying medical conditions or gastrointestinal disturbances.

A) This is normal.
Guaifenesin is an expectorant medication commonly used to help loosen and thin mucus in the airways, making it easier to cough up. Coughing up phlegm after taking guaifenesin is an expected response and indicates that the medication is working as intended. Guaifenesin helps to clear the airways of excess mucus, which can be particularly beneficial for individuals with respiratory conditions such as bronchitis or chest congestion.

B) This requires further investigation.
Coughing up phlegm after taking guaifenesin is a common and expected response and does not typically indicate a need for further investigation unless there are other concerning symptoms present. It is important for the nurse to provide reassurance and education about the expected effects of the medication.

C) This is indicative of an allergic reaction.
Coughing up phlegm after taking guaifenesin is not indicative of an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions to guaifenesin are rare but may include symptoms such as rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, or difficulty breathing. If the client were experiencing these symptoms, it would be important to assess further for a possible allergic reaction and intervene accordingly.

D) This means there is probably more pathology present.
Coughing up phlegm after taking guaifenesin does not necessarily indicate the presence of more pathology. It simply indicates that the medication is helping to loosen and mobilize mucus in the airways, which is a normal response to expectorant therapy. If the client has concerns about their symptoms, further assessment by a healthcare provider may be warranted, but coughing up phlegm alone is not necessarily indicative of worsening pathology.