TEN THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT GI MEDS:
1. Do not give laxatives and or cathartics to anyone with
undiagnosed abdominal pain.
2. Do not give antacids, laxatives, or cathartics with anyone with
undiagnosed nausea and vomiting.
3. Do not give laxatives and/or cathartics to anyone with
inflammatory disease of the GI tract (unless the doctor has ordered
MOM for irritable bowel syndrome).
4. Do not give laxatives/cathartics for anyone with an ileus or
bowel obstruction, which can be evidenced by nausea,
vomiting, and/or abdominal pain.
5. Do not give antidiarrheals to anyone with ulcerative colitis.
6. Do not give antidiarrheals to anyone with liver disease.
7. Do not give antidiarrheals to anyone with a narcotic
dependence.
8. Do not give saline cathartics for anyone with congestive heart
failure.
9. Bulk-forming laxatives should be mixed in at least 8 ounces of
fluid.
10. A client with constipation should eat bran, grains, fruit and
water, and a client with diarrhea should avoid fried foods, raw
vegetables and milk products.