Question

62. What is the purpose of using cathartics. 63. What are antiemetic preparations used for. 64. What patient teaching would you include for a patient who is taking antacids while undergoing ulcer therapy 65, What is the first action by the nurse, when a diabetic patient complains of weakness or blurred vision. 66. What are the symptoms of hyperglycemia. 67. What is the action of antacids. 68. What are the side effects of antacids. 69. What are the side effects of corticosteroids. 70. What is levothyroxine used for. 71. Can NSAIDS be given in conjunction with anticoagulants and why.

Answer 1

62. What is the purpose of using cathartics.

Cathartics are used:

• to ease defecation in patients with painful hemorrhoids or other rectal disorders and to avoid excessive straining and concurrent increase in abdominal pressure in patients with hernias Or
• to avoid potentially hazardous rise in B.P. during defecation in patients with hypertension, cerebral coronary or other arterial disease Or
• to relieve acute constipation Or
• to remove solid material from intestinal tract prior to certain roentgenographic studies.

63. What are antiemetic preparations used for.

The major use of antiemetic agents is in the treatment of nausea and vomiting that is evoked by treatment of malignancy with either chemo- or radiotherapy.

64. What patient teaching would you include for a patient who is taking antacids while undergoing ulcer therapy.

65. What is the first action by the nurse, when a diabetic patient complains of weakness or blurred vision.

66. What are the symptoms of hyperglycemia.

Early signs include:

•     Increased thirst
•     Headaches
•     Trouble concentrating
•     Blurred vision
•     Frequent peeing
•     Fatigue (weak, tired feeling)
•     Weight loss
•     Blood sugar more than 180 mg/dL

Ongoing high blood sugar may cause:

•     Vaginal and skin infections
•     Slow-healing cuts and sores
•     Worse vision
•     Nerve damage causing painful cold or insensitive feet, loss of hair on the lower extremities, or erectile dysfunction
•     Stomach and intestinal problems such as chronic constipation or diarrhea
•     Damage to your eyes, blood vessels, or kidneys

67. what is the action of antacids.

When excessive amounts of acids are produced in the stomach the natural mucous barrier that protects the lining of the stomach can damage the esophagus in people with acid reflux. Antacids contain alkaline ions that chemically neutralize stomach gastric acid, reducing damage and relieving pain.

68. What are the side effects of antacids.

•     Antacids may cause dose-dependent rebound hyperacidity and milk-alkali syndrome.
•     Antacids that contain aluminum hydroxide may cause constipation, aluminum-intoxication, osteomalacia, and hypophosphatemia.
•     Antacids that contain magnesium have a laxative effect that may cause diarrhea, and in patients with renal failure they may cause increased magnesium levels in the blood, because of the reduced ability of the kidneys to eliminate magnesium from the body in the urine.

69. What are the side effects of corticosteroids.

Corticosteroids have many side effects that can be mild or serious. These side effects are more apparent when corticosteroids are used at higher doses or for extended periods of time. This section lists only some of these side effects of corticosteroids.

Corticosteroids can:

•     cause sodium (salt) and fluid to be retained in the body and cause weight gain or swelling of the legs (edema)
•     High blood pressure
•      Loss of potassium
•     Headache
•     Muscle weakness
•     Puffiness of the face (moon face)
•     Facial hair growth
•     Thinning and easy bruising of the skin
•     Slow wound healing
•     Glaucoma
•     Cataracts
•     Ulcers in the stomach and duodenum
•     Loss of diabetes control
•     Menstrual irregularity
•     "Buffalo hump," a condition described as a rounding of the upper back

The prolonged use of corticosteroids can cause obesity, growth retardation in children, and even lead to convulsions and psychiatric disturbances. Reported psychiatric disturbances include depression, euphoria, insomnia, mood swings, and personality changes. Psychotic behaviors also have been reported.

Corticosteroids, since they suppress the immune system, can lead to an increase in the rate of infections and reduce the effectiveness of vaccines and antibiotics.

The long term use of corticosteroids may cause osteoporosis which can result in bone fractures.

Shrinking (atrophy) of the adrenal glands can be caused by the long term use of corticosteroids resulting in the body's inability to produce cortisol, the body's natural corticosteroid, when the systemic corticosteroids are discontinued.

Another condition which can result from the long term use of corticosteroids is adrenal necrosis of the hip joints, a very painful and serious condition that may require surgery. Any symptoms of hip or knee pain in people taking corticosteroids require prompt medical attention.

Corticosteroids should not be stopped suddenly after prolonged use as this can result in adrenal crisis because of the body's inability to secrete enough cortisol to make up for the withdrawal. Nausea, vomiting, and shock are the reported side effects of adrenal crisis.

70. What is levothyroxine used for.

Levothyroxine is used to treat an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). It replaces or provides more thyroid hormone, which is normally produced by the thyroid gland. Low thyroid hormone levels can occur naturally or when the thyroid gland is injured by radiation/medications or removed by surgery.

71. Can NSAIDS be given in conjunction with anticoagulants and why.