Medical Pharmacology Chapter 27: Gastrointestinal Pharmacology Practice Questions

Mechanism(s) by which laxatives manage constipation and facilitate bowel evacuation:
1. Reducing small-and large-bowel fluid absorption.
2. Stimulation of propulsive contractions
3. Both
4. Neither
Some laxative preparations promote intraluminal fluid retention, sometimes by osmotic mechanisms.
1. True
2. False
Osmotically-active laxative(s):
1. Long-chain polyethylene glycol (PEG)
2. Saline laxatives
3. Both
4. Neither
Agent most likely used for colonic cleansing in anticipation of surgical, radiological, and endoscopic medical procedures.
1. Oral sodium phosphates
2. Polyethylene glycol solutions
3. Both equally likely to be used
Polyethylene glycol (PEG 3350), powdered form, available as an over-the-counter preparation:
1. Appropriate for management of occasional constipation.
2. Appropriate for treating more chronic constipation.
3. Both
4. Neither
Adverse effect(s) associated with polyethylene glycol osmotic laxative
1. Nausea
2. Bloating
3. Cramping
4. A & B
5. B & C
6. A, B & C
NOT a saline laxative:
1. Sodium chloride
2. Magnesium sulfate
3. Magnesium hydroxide
4. Magnesium citrate
Concerning saline laxatives: phosphate salts appear better absorbed than magnesium-containing laxatives and therefore need to be given in higher doses.
1. True
2. False
Cautious use circumstances for magnesium-containing laxatives:
1. In the context of renal insufficiency
2. In the context of cardiac disease
3. Both
4. Neither
Additional cautious circumstance(s) for use of magnesium-containing laxative preparations:
1. A pre-existing state of electrolyte abnormality
2. In patients who are receiving treatment with diuretics
3. Both
4. Neither

Medical Pharmacology: Gastrointestinal Pharmacology Practice Questions