Biology Forums - Study Force

A patient has been started on a stool softener for constipation. Which information should the nurse provide regarding onset of action?
 
  1. Continue to take this medication until your stool is very loose and diarrhea-like.
  2. If your discomfort gets worse, return to the clinic.
  3. This medication will work in about 8 hours.
  4. If you do not have a bowel movement by tomorrow, return to the clinic.

2
Rationale 1: There is no reason to take this medication until loose stools occur.
Rationale 2: If the patient has increased discomfort, additional assessment is indicated.
Rationale 3: This medication may take 2 or 3 days to work.
Rationale 4: Tomorrow is too soon to evaluate that therapy is unsuccessful.

Global Rationale: If the patient has increased discomfort, additional assessment is indicated. There is no reason to take this medication until loose stools occur. This medication may take 2 or 3 days to work. Tomorrow is too soon to evaluate that therapy is unsuccessful.