A nurse is taking a health history of a client who reports occasionally taking several over-the-counter medications, including an H2 receptor antagonist (famotidine). Which of the following outcomes indicates that famotidine is therapeutic?

Choice A reason: Administering half of the scheduled dose of Colace is not the correct action for the nurse who is caring for a patient who had two loose stools during the night shift. Colace is the brand name of docusate, which is a stool softener that works by increasing the amount of water and fat in the stool, making it easier to pass. Colace is used to treat and prevent constipation, which is a condition of infrequent or hard bowel movements. Colace is not indicated for diarrhea, which is a condition of frequent and loose bowel movements. Administering half of the scheduled dose of Colace may not be enough to prevent constipation, and it may also worsen diarrhea by adding more water and fat to the stool.

Choice B reason: Administering the scheduled dose of Colace is not the correct action for the nurse who is caring for a patient who had two loose stools during the night shift. Colace is the brand name of docusate, which is a stool softener that works by increasing the amount of water and fat in the stool, making it easier to pass. Colace is used to treat and prevent constipation, which is a condition of infrequent or hard bowel movements. Colace is not indicated for diarrhea, which is a condition of frequent and loose bowel movements. Administering the scheduled dose of Colace may not be necessary to prevent constipation, and it may also worsen diarrhea by adding more water and fat to the stool.

Choice C reason: Inserting a rectal tube to prevent excoriation is not the correct action for the nurse who is caring for a patient who had two loose stools during the night shift. A rectal tube is a device that is inserted into the rectum and connected to a drainage bag, which collects the stool and prevents leakage and skin irritation. A rectal tube is used for patients who have fecal incontinence, which is the inability to control bowel movements. A rectal tube is not indicated for patients who have diarrhea, which is a condition of frequent and loose bowel movements. Inserting a rectal tube may not be effective to prevent excoriation, and it may also cause complications such as infection, bleeding, or perforation.

Choice D reason: Holding the scheduled dose of Colace and notifying the ordering physician is the correct action for the nurse who is caring for a patient who had two loose stools during the night shift. Colace is the brand name of docusate, which is a stool softener that works by increasing the amount of water and fat in the stool, making it easier to pass. Colace is used to treat and prevent constipation, which is a condition of infrequent or hard bowel movements. Colace is not indicated for diarrhea, which is a condition of frequent and loose bowel movements. Holding the scheduled dose of Colace may be appropriate to avoid further diarrhea, and notifying the ordering physician may be necessary to determine the cause and the treatment of diarrhea

Choice A reason: Distribution is not the correct term to describe the movement of a drug from its site of administration to the bloodstream. Distribution is the process by which a drug moves from the bloodstream to the tissues and organs of the body. Distribution depends on factors such as blood flow, tissue permeability, plasma protein binding, and tissue binding. Distribution occurs after the drug has been absorbed into the bloodstream, and it determines how much drug reaches the site of action.

Choice B reason: Metabolism is not the correct term to describe the movement of a drug from its site of administration to the bloodstream. Metabolism is the process by which a drug is chemically transformed in the body, usually by enzymes in the liver or other tissues. Metabolism can affect the activity, duration, and elimination of a drug. Metabolism occurs after the drug has been absorbed into the bloodstream, and it can occur before or after the drug reaches the site of action.

Choice C reason: Excretion is not the correct term to describe the movement of a drug from its site of administration to the bloodstream. Excretion is the process by which a drug or its metabolites are eliminated from the body. Excretion can occur through various routes, such as urine, feces, sweat, or breath. Excretion occurs after the drug has been absorbed into the bloodstream, and it can occur before or after the drug reaches the site of action.

Choice D reason: Absorption is the correct term to describe the movement of a drug from its site of administration to the bloodstream. Absorption is the process by which a drug enters the bloodstream from the site of administration. Absorption depends on factors such as the route of administration, the dose, the formulation, and the bioavailability of the drug. Absorption is the first step of pharmacokinetics, and it determines how much and how fast a drug reaches the bloodstream and the site of action.