A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who is receiving an IV infusion of dextrose 10% in water. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects?

Choice A reason: Magnesium-containing antacids typically cause diarrhea rather than constipation due to magnesium's ability to draw water into the intestines.

Choice B reason: Antibiotics can affect gut flora and potentially cause diarrhea. While some antibiotics may lead to constipation, it is not as common as diarrhea.

Choice C reason: Anticholinergics/antispasmodics can cause constipation because they inhibit the muscle movements in the gastrointestinal tract necessary for bowel movements.

Choice D reason: Opioid narcotics are well-known to cause constipation as they reduce gastrointestinal motility, leading to slower transit times and increased water absorption from the stool.

Choice A reason: With aging, there is a slight slowing in the movement of contents through the large intestine and a modest decrease in the contractions of the rectum when filled with stool, leading to decreased intestinal peristalsis.

Choice B reason: Aging does not typically result in a decreased pH of the stomach. Instead, conditions that decrease acid secretion, such as atrophic gastritis, become more common with age.

Choice C reason: Increased muscle tone of the bowel is not a change associated with aging. In fact, muscle tone may decrease, contributing to issues such as constipation.

Choice D reason: Increased gastric acid production is not a typical physiological change with aging. The secretion of stomach juices such as acid and pepsin has little effect on aging, although conditions that decrease acid secretion become more common.