A patient taking magnesium citrate as an osmotic laxative reports abdominal cramping and diarrhea. What should the nurse recommend?
Increase fluid intake
Continue the medication; these are expected side effects
Discontinue the medication and consult a healthcare provider
Switch to a different type of laxative
The Correct Answer is B
A. Increasing fluid intake may not alleviate the cramping and diarrhea, which are common side effects of magnesium citrate.
B. Abdominal cramping and diarrhea are expected side effects of magnesium citrate, and the patient can continue the medication unless symptoms become severe.
C. Discontinuing the medication should not be recommended unless the side effects are intolerable or the patient experiences severe reactions.
D. Switching to a different type of laxative is unnecessary unless the patient has contraindications to magnesium citrate or develops severe side effects.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. An allergic reaction is a possible response to medication, but it is not directly related to doubling the dosage.
B. Anaphylactic reaction is a severe and rapid allergic response; while possible, it is not the most likely consequence of an overdose in this context.
C. Poisoning is a likely concern when a client takes double the prescribed dosage of analgesics, especially if the medication has a narrow therapeutic index or is known to cause toxicity at high doses.
D. Sedative effects could occur depending on the analgesic used, but poisoning is a more pressing concern following an overdose.