Gastrointestinal Drugs and Medications Q 21
A client needs rapid cleansing of the bowel, which category is best used?
A. Bacid
B. Bulk-forming agent
C. Intestinal flora modifiers
D. Saline laxatives with magnesium
Correct Answer: D. Saline laxatives with magnesium
Saline laxatives are the best agents for rapid bowel cleansing. Magnesium citrate is a saline laxative that is thought to work by increasing fluid in the small intestine. It usually results in a bowel movement within 30 minutes to 3 hours.
Option A: Bacid is an intestinal flora modifier. This product can help restore the normal balance of intestinal bacteria. This product has been used for diarrhea and other stomach/intestinal problems. It has also been used for vaginal and urinary tract infections. Some diet supplement products have been found to contain possibly harmful impurities/additives.
Option B: Bulk-forming agents will not produce rapid cleansing. Bulk-forming laxatives absorb liquid in the intestines. This creates a bulky, more liquid-like stool that’s softer and easier to pass. Common bulk-forming laxatives include psyllium (Metamucil), polycarbophil (FiberCon), and methylcellulose (Citrucel). Bulk-forming laxatives are different from these laxatives. They’re most similar to stool softeners in that they help the bowels retain water. Unlike stimulant laxatives, they don’t stimulate nerves that speed up the movement of bowels through the intestines. They also don’t lubricate the stools like lubricant laxatives do. Osmotic laxatives differ from bulk-forming types by helping the intestines — not the bowels — retain water.
Option C: Intestinal flora modifiers will not not produce rapid cleansing as well. Probiotics are usually defined as products which contain viable non-pathogenic microorganisms able to confer health benefits to the host. There are specific gastrointestinal effects of probiotics such as alleviating inflammatory bowel disease, reducing acute diarrhoea in children, inhibiting Salmonella and Helicobacter pylori, removing cholesterol, secreting enzymes and bacteriocins and immunomodulation.