Question

chapter 34 pharmacology

1. explain the meaning of normal bowel habits and describe the underlying causes of constipation.
2. identify the mechanism of action for the different classes of laxatives and describe medical conditions in which laxatives should not be used.
3. cite 9 causes of diarrhea
4. differentiate between locally acting and systemically acting antidiarrheal agents
5. describe nursing assessments beeded to evaluate the patients state of hydration when suffering from either consitipation or dehydration and identify electrolytes that should be monitered whenever prolonged or sever diarrhea is present.
6. cite conditions that generally respond favorably to antidiarrheal agents.

Hi someone had already helped me with these but they were hand written and very hard to read so ill appriciate the help again. Thank you i only post the objectives because they are the ones i need the most help with thank you again!!!

Answer 1

1)There is no specific number of times a person should defecate. As a broad rule, defecating three times a day to three times a week is normal. They'll defecate about the same number of times a day and at a similar time of day. Stool should be brown and has a soft firm consistency.

Causes of constipation:

a) Eating foods low in fiber.

b) Not drinking enough water.

c) Lack of excercise.

d) Changes in regular routine,Such as travelling, eating and going to bed at different times.

e) Eating large amount of milk or cheese.

f) Stress and Anxiety

g) Resisting the urge to have bowel movement.

2) The major mechanisms of action include enhancement of fluid retention by hydrophilic or osmotic mechanisms, decreasing net absorption of fluid through effects on the fluid and electrolyte transport in the small or large intestines, and finally an alteration of motility by inhibiting nonpropulsive contractions or stimulating propulsive contractions.

• Bloody stools
• Severe cramps or pain
• Weakness or unusual tiredness.
• Dizziness
• Rectal bleeding
• Unexplained changes in bowel patterns.
• Dehydration
• Constipation that last longer than a week.

3) a)  Infections which include viruses, bacteria and parasites.

b) Sanitation ( open defecation)

c) Nutrition

d) Malabsorption

e) Inflammatory bowel disease

f) Irritable bowel syndrome

g) Medications.

h) Other diseases such as Hyper thyroidism , Diabetes and diseases of intestine.

i) Radiation therapy

4) Antidiarrheals are the name given to certain types of medicines that stop or slow diarrhea. Antidiarrheals only relieve the symptoms of diarrhea, such as an increased frequency and urgency when passing stools, they do not eliminate the cause of it. This means that as soon as you stop taking an antidiarrheal, diarrhea will return unless whatever has caused it has run its course.

Some antidiarrheals work by slowing down intestinal contractions, increasing the time it takes for the contents of the bowel to be excreted. This allows more water to be absorbed from the bowel back into the body, reducing the water content of the stool. Others work by bulking up the stool, increasing its volume with fiber-like substances.

5) Changes in body weight, haematological and urine parameters, bioelectrical impedance, skinfold thickness, heart rate and blood pressure changes are among these indices. Plasma osmolality, urine osmolality and urine specific gravity are the most widely used markers of hydration.

Sodium, chloride, potassium, and bicarbonate should be monitor after recovery of diarrhea.

6) Help control inflammatory bowel disease • Postgastrointestinal surgery patients may require agents to help absorb electrolytes and fluids • Many cases are self-limiting but may be prescribed by health care professionals • Antidiarrheal Agents continued• Medications That May Cause Diarrhea • Antibiotics • Antacids containing magnesium.