A patient taking magnesium citrate as an osmotic laxative reports abdominal cramping and diarrhea. What should the nurse recommend?

A. Maintain good oral hygiene to minimize dry mouth is correct; good oral hygiene practices can help alleviate dry mouth, which is a common anticholinergic effect.

B. Void before taking the medication so urinary hesitation is less problematic is correct; this strategy can help manage urinary retention, another potential side effect of tricyclic antidepressants.

C. Avoid situations where bruising or lacerations are a possibility is incorrect; while caution is always advisable, this statement does not directly relate to anticholinergic effects.

D. Eat several small meals daily rather than three larger meals is correct; smaller meals can help mitigate gastrointestinal side effects and maintain steady blood sugar levels.

E. Use caution in situations where it may be possible to become overheated is correct; anticholinergic medications can impair thermoregulation, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses.

A. While MAOIs may have some regulatory considerations, they are not classified under a scheduled drug classification like controlled substances.

B. MAOIs are effective in treating depression and anxiety disorders, which is not the reason for their limited use.

C. Although MAOIs can have some side effects, they are more notably associated with dietary and drug interactions rather than causing GI bleeding or esophageal varices.

D. MAOIs can cause dangerous interactions with foods that contain tyramine (like aged cheeses and fermented products) and certain medications, leading to hypertensive crises, making their use cautious and limiting in clinical practice.