HLTH 314 EXAM Questions 9-12 with
correct answers
A client is about to undergo a diagnostic bowel procedure. The nurse expects which drug to be used to
induce total cleansing of the bowel?
a. Docusate sodium (Colace)
b. Lactulose
c. Mineral Oil
d. Polyethylene glycol (GoLYTELY) - correct answer -D
Response Feedback:
Polyethylene glycol (goLYTELY) is an osmotic laxative used for diagnostic and surgical bowel prep, such
as colonoscopies, to ensure visualization of the bowels. The other options are incorrect.
When administering a laxative to a client, which assessment is important to monitor?
a. Temperature
b. Blood pressure
c. Fluid and electrolyte status
d. White blood cell count - correct answer -C
Response Feedback:
The use of all laxatives can cause electrolyte imbalances and changes in fluid output. Patients can be at
risk for dehydration. Blood pressure, temperature, and white blood cell count are not directly impacted
by laxative use.
A client has excessive and painful gas after surgery. The nurse checks the medication orders and
prepares to administer which drug for this problem?
HLTH 314
,a. Aluminum hydroxide with magnesium (Maalox)
b. Famotidine (Pepcid)
c. Calcium carbonate (Tums)
d. Simethicone (Mylicon) - correct answer -D
Response Feedback:
Simethicone is an antiflatulence medication that alters the elasticity of mucus-coated gas bubbles and
breaks them into smaller ones. The other answers are incorrect.
A client is receiving an aluminum-containing antacid. The nurse will inform the patient to watch for
which possible adverse effect?
a. Diarrhea
b. Constipation
c. Tachycardia
d. Headache - correct answer -B
Response Feedback:
Aluminum-based antacids have a constipating effect as well as an acid-neuralizing capability. The other
options are incorrect.
The nurse anticipates which laxative to be ordered for her patient with hepatic encephalopathy?
a. Psyllium (Metamucil)
b. Bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
c. Lactulose
d. Magnesium Citrate - correct answer -C
Response Feedback:
HLTH 314
, Lactulose is an osmotic laxative that also reduces blood ammonia levels; elevated blood ammonia levels
are seen in hepatic encephalopathy. The other answers are incorrect.
A client wants to prevent problems with constipation and asks the nurse for advice about which type of
laxative to use. The nurse answers with what class of laxative that is the most safe to use on a long-term
basis?
a. Emollient laxatives
b. Osmotic laxatives
c. Bulk-forming laxatives
d. Stimulant laxatives - correct answer -C
Response Feedback:
Bulk-forming laxatives are the only laxatives recommended for long-term use. They are the most gentle
on your body and generally are not associated with electrolyte disturbances, fluid loss, absorption
issues, or dependence. Stimulant laxatives are the most likely of all the laxative classes to cause
dependence and can be harsh (can cause increased cramping) to the GI tract. Lubricants/emollient
laxatives can cause increased fluid loss and impair the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, & K. Osmotic
laxatives can cause increased electrolyte disturbances and fluid losses.
A client is taking omeprazole (Prilosec) for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The
nurse will include which teaching statement about this medication?
a. "It is best to take this medication on an empty stomach, 30-60 minutes before meals."
b. "Take this medication after your first meal of the day"
c. "Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking this medication, as it may cause drowsiness"
d. "This medication may cause rebound hyperacidity" - correct answer -A
Response Feedback:
Omeprazole (Prilosec) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). PPIs work best on an empty stomach as they
allow the medication's maximum effect to inhibit the production of gastric acid by working directly on
the parietal cells of the stomach. PPIs do not cause drowsiness. Antacids cause rebound hyperacidity,
not PPIs.
HLTH 314
correct answers
A client is about to undergo a diagnostic bowel procedure. The nurse expects which drug to be used to
induce total cleansing of the bowel?
a. Docusate sodium (Colace)
b. Lactulose
c. Mineral Oil
d. Polyethylene glycol (GoLYTELY) - correct answer -D
Response Feedback:
Polyethylene glycol (goLYTELY) is an osmotic laxative used for diagnostic and surgical bowel prep, such
as colonoscopies, to ensure visualization of the bowels. The other options are incorrect.
When administering a laxative to a client, which assessment is important to monitor?
a. Temperature
b. Blood pressure
c. Fluid and electrolyte status
d. White blood cell count - correct answer -C
Response Feedback:
The use of all laxatives can cause electrolyte imbalances and changes in fluid output. Patients can be at
risk for dehydration. Blood pressure, temperature, and white blood cell count are not directly impacted
by laxative use.
A client has excessive and painful gas after surgery. The nurse checks the medication orders and
prepares to administer which drug for this problem?
HLTH 314
,a. Aluminum hydroxide with magnesium (Maalox)
b. Famotidine (Pepcid)
c. Calcium carbonate (Tums)
d. Simethicone (Mylicon) - correct answer -D
Response Feedback:
Simethicone is an antiflatulence medication that alters the elasticity of mucus-coated gas bubbles and
breaks them into smaller ones. The other answers are incorrect.
A client is receiving an aluminum-containing antacid. The nurse will inform the patient to watch for
which possible adverse effect?
a. Diarrhea
b. Constipation
c. Tachycardia
d. Headache - correct answer -B
Response Feedback:
Aluminum-based antacids have a constipating effect as well as an acid-neuralizing capability. The other
options are incorrect.
The nurse anticipates which laxative to be ordered for her patient with hepatic encephalopathy?
a. Psyllium (Metamucil)
b. Bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
c. Lactulose
d. Magnesium Citrate - correct answer -C
Response Feedback:
HLTH 314
, Lactulose is an osmotic laxative that also reduces blood ammonia levels; elevated blood ammonia levels
are seen in hepatic encephalopathy. The other answers are incorrect.
A client wants to prevent problems with constipation and asks the nurse for advice about which type of
laxative to use. The nurse answers with what class of laxative that is the most safe to use on a long-term
basis?
a. Emollient laxatives
b. Osmotic laxatives
c. Bulk-forming laxatives
d. Stimulant laxatives - correct answer -C
Response Feedback:
Bulk-forming laxatives are the only laxatives recommended for long-term use. They are the most gentle
on your body and generally are not associated with electrolyte disturbances, fluid loss, absorption
issues, or dependence. Stimulant laxatives are the most likely of all the laxative classes to cause
dependence and can be harsh (can cause increased cramping) to the GI tract. Lubricants/emollient
laxatives can cause increased fluid loss and impair the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, & K. Osmotic
laxatives can cause increased electrolyte disturbances and fluid losses.
A client is taking omeprazole (Prilosec) for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The
nurse will include which teaching statement about this medication?
a. "It is best to take this medication on an empty stomach, 30-60 minutes before meals."
b. "Take this medication after your first meal of the day"
c. "Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking this medication, as it may cause drowsiness"
d. "This medication may cause rebound hyperacidity" - correct answer -A
Response Feedback:
Omeprazole (Prilosec) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). PPIs work best on an empty stomach as they
allow the medication's maximum effect to inhibit the production of gastric acid by working directly on
the parietal cells of the stomach. PPIs do not cause drowsiness. Antacids cause rebound hyperacidity,
not PPIs.
HLTH 314
