30: Gastrointestinal Disorder Drugs
- Page ID
- 90344
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 30.0: Introduction
- This page discusses the gastrointestinal (GI) system's role in food breakdown and nutrient absorption, highlighting its regulation by the central nervous system. It describes how the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems affect GI muscle movements and secretions, making the tract susceptible to issues like nausea and diarrhea. The chapter also focuses on medications used to treat these gastrointestinal symptoms.
- 30.1: Antiemetics
- This page covers the types and functions of antiemetic drugs for gastrointestinal issues, detailing their classifications, mechanisms, and potential side effects. Key drug classes include phenothiazines, antihistamines, serotonin receptor antagonists, NK1 antagonists, and anticholinergics. It also addresses the management of transdermal patches for these medications, highlighting safety precautions and common adverse effects.
- 30.2: Antidiarrheals
- This page covers antidiarrheal drugs for gastrointestinal disorders, detailing their types, uses, and precautions. It emphasizes the importance of addressing both acute and chronic diarrhea while monitoring for infections and side effects. Key medications, including diphenoxylate with atropine and loperamide, are discussed alongside their adverse effects, dosing, and contraindications.
- 30.3: Laxatives and Stool Softeners
- This page provides a comprehensive overview of laxatives and stool softeners for treating constipation, detailing their types, indications, effectiveness, adverse reactions, and contraindications. It emphasizes nursing implications, client education, and the need for careful monitoring to prevent dependency and electrolyte imbalances. Specific medications such as magnesium citrate and linaclotide are explored, along with a case study highlighting medication management for fecal impaction.
- 30.4: Chapter Summary
- This page discusses gastrointestinal disturbances, including their symptoms and underlying causes. It highlights the importance of managing these symptoms while addressing root issues. Temporary treatments, such as antiemetics and laxatives, may be used, but ongoing assessment of GI status and hydration is critical. Nurses are advised to encourage clients to drink at least 2 liters of water daily, with exceptions for contraindications, to enhance GI health and function.
- 30.5: Key Terms
- This page covers medications and physiological concepts in gastrointestinal and neurological functions, highlighting anticholinergic effects, antidiarrheals, and antiemetics. It explains the chemoreceptor trigger zone and vomiting center in emesis, along with extrapyramidal symptoms linked to drugs like phenothiazines. The roles of laxatives and stool softeners in constipation treatment are also discussed.
- 30.6: Review Questions
- This page discusses nursing practices for medication administration, focusing on instructions, techniques, and contraindications. It highlights common side effects of drugs like diphenoxylate and chlorpromazine, provides safe administration practices for laxatives, and stresses the importance of educating clients on proper medication use, including hydration and timing for applications.


