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Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Healthcare

Laxative Pharmacology Knowledge Test Challenge

Assess your laxative drug pharmacology skills

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material

Think you know laxative pharmacology inside out? This Laxative Pharmacology Knowledge Test quiz is designed to challenge your understanding of osmotic, stimulant, and bulk-forming agents in a concise format. Ideal for nursing students, pharmacy techs, or any healthcare professional brushing up on GI therapeutic options. Explore the Pharmacology Knowledge Quiz or the Pharmacology Review Quiz for more practice. Feel free to customise this quiz in our quizzes editor to suit your learning goals.

Which class of laxative works primarily by absorbing water to increase fecal mass?
Bulk-forming laxatives
Osmotic laxatives
Stimulant laxatives
Stool softeners
Bulk-forming laxatives absorb water to increase stool bulk, stimulating peristalsis and easing defecation. They are the only class that forms a gel-like matrix to add mass to the stool.
Which of the following is an osmotic laxative?
Psyllium husk
Bisacodyl
Lactulose
Docusate sodium
Lactulose is a synthetic disaccharide osmotic laxative that is metabolized by colonic bacteria, increasing osmotic pressure and promoting water retention in the bowel. It draws water into the colon to soften stool and increase transit.
Which of the following is a stimulant laxative?
Bisacodyl
Psyllium husk
Magnesium citrate
Polyethylene glycol
Bisacodyl is a stimulant laxative that activates enteric neurons to enhance intestinal motility and secretion. It directly irritates the colonic mucosa to induce peristaltic contractions.
Which laxative is classified as a stool softener?
Docusate sodium
Senna
Lactulose
Methylcellulose
Docusate sodium is a surfactant or stool softener that lowers surface tension, allowing water and lipids to penetrate stool and soften it. It eases stool passage without directly stimulating motility.
What is the typical onset of action for bulk-forming laxatives?
6–12 hours
1–3 hours
12–72 hours
24–48 minutes
Bulk-forming laxatives require time to absorb water and swell in the intestine, usually taking 12–72 hours for clinical effect. They are not useful for rapid relief.
Which laxative is considered first-line therapy for chronic constipation?
Senna
Psyllium husk
Sodium phosphate enema
Mineral oil
Psyllium, a bulk-forming laxative, is recommended first-line for chronic constipation due to its safety profile, lack of systemic absorption, and minimal side effects compared to other classes.
Which adverse effect is most associated with osmotic laxatives like magnesium hydroxide?
Electrolyte imbalance
Melanosis coli
Esophageal ulceration
Cholelithiasis
Osmotic laxatives can draw large volumes of water into the bowel and affect electrolyte balances, potentially causing hypermagnesemia or imbalances in sodium and potassium.
Lactulose relieves constipation primarily by which mechanism?
Stimulating colonic nerves
Increasing stool bulk via fiber
Metabolized by bacteria to acids, increasing osmotic pressure
Surfactant action lowering surface tension
Lactulose is metabolized by colonic bacteria into organic acids, which lower colonic pH and create an osmotic gradient that draws water into the bowel, softening the stool.
Which laxative is contraindicated in patients with renal failure due to risk of toxicity?
Polyethylene glycol
Lactulose
Magnesium citrate
Psyllium husk
Magnesium-containing osmotic laxatives can accumulate in patients with impaired renal function, leading to hypermagnesemia and potential toxicity.
What monitoring parameter is most important when administering sodium phosphate enemas?
Serum electrolytes
Liver function tests
Coagulation profile
Blood glucose
Sodium phosphate enemas can cause shifts in phosphate and calcium, leading to electrolyte disturbances; monitoring serum electrolytes is essential to detect hyperphosphatemia or hypocalcemia.
A patient on chronic opioid therapy presents with constipation. Which regimen is most appropriate?
Bulk-forming laxative alone
Stimulant laxative plus stool softener
Sodium phosphate enema prn
Mineral oil alone
Opioid-induced constipation often requires a combination of stimulant laxatives to increase motility and stool softeners to ease stool passage, addressing both opioid effects on the gut.
Which laxative class carries a risk of melanosis coli with long-term use?
Bulk-forming laxatives
Osmotic laxatives
Stimulant laxatives
Stool softeners
Chronic use of stimulant laxatives like senna can cause pigmentation of the colonic mucosa (melanosis coli) due to lipofuscin accumulation in macrophages.
Which statement about polyethylene glycol (PEG) used for constipation is correct?
It is systemically absorbed with high bioavailability
It is an osmotic agent not significantly absorbed
It acts by stimulating enteric nerves
It is a surfactant stool softener
PEG is an osmotic laxative that retains water in the stool and is minimally absorbed, making it effective and safe for chronic use without systemic effects.
A 2-year-old child with chronic constipation requires a laxative. Which dosing guideline is appropriate?
Senna 17 g daily
Polyethylene glycol 0.4 g/kg/day
Bisacodyl 15 mg once monthly
Magnesium hydroxide 1000 mg/kg/day
Pediatric dosing of PEG for constipation is typically around 0.4 g/kg/day, adjusted for weight to safely achieve the desired osmotic effect.
Which of the following is the main adverse effect to monitor with long-term use of mineral oil?
Fat-soluble vitamin deficiency
Hypermagnesemia
Electrolyte imbalance
Melanosis coli
Mineral oil can impair absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) when used long term, so monitoring for vitamin deficiencies is important.
Linaclotide alleviates constipation through which mechanism?
Guanylate cyclase-C agonist
5-HT4 receptor agonist
Chloride channel inhibitor
Mu-opioid receptor antagonist
Linaclotide is a guanylate cyclase-C agonist that increases intracellular cGMP, enhancing chloride and bicarbonate secretion into the lumen to soften stools and increase motility.
Pathophysiology of cathartic colon associated with chronic stimulant laxative use involves:
Increased enteric neuron density
Depletion of colonic nerve fibers
Hypertrophy of colonic smooth muscle
Enhanced mucosal secretions
Chronic stimulant laxative use can lead to a cathartic colon characterized by nerve fiber depletion in the myenteric plexus, reducing colonic motility and function.
In stage 4 chronic kidney disease, which laxative is safest to avoid systemic toxicity?
Magnesium hydroxide
Polyethylene glycol
Psyllium husk
Oral sodium phosphate
Bulk-forming laxatives like psyllium are not absorbed and do not rely on renal excretion, making them safe in advanced renal disease compared to magnesium or phosphate agents.
Which laxative is most appropriate for a pregnant patient with constipation?
Mineral oil
Bisacodyl
Psyllium husk
Sodium phosphate enema
Psyllium is generally considered safe during pregnancy because it is nonabsorbable, acts locally in the gut, and has minimal systemic effects on the mother or fetus.
Acute phosphate nephropathy is most strongly associated with use of which laxative?
Oral sodium phosphate
Polyethylene glycol
Bisacodyl
Docusate sodium
Oral sodium phosphate can cause acute phosphate nephropathy by precipitating calcium-phosphate crystals in renal tubules, especially in susceptible patients, leading to acute kidney injury.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify the mechanism of action for major laxative classes.
  2. Analyse pharmacokinetic profiles of common laxatives.
  3. Evaluate therapeutic uses and contraindications of laxative agents.
  4. Apply dosing guidelines safely across different patient scenarios.
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of adverse effects and monitoring strategies.
  6. Master distinctions between stimulant, bulk-forming, and osmotic laxatives.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Know the four laxative classes - Dive into bulk-forming, osmotic, stimulant, and stool softeners to master how each works and when to reach for them. Think of them as your digestive dream team, each with a unique superpower to get things moving. NCBI Bookshelf
    2. NCBI Bookshelf
  2. Bulk-forming buddies - Methylcellulose and psyllium act like sponges, absorbing water to create a plump, soft stool that encourages peristalsis. Remember to chug extra fluids so they can work their magic! Tulane PharmWiki
    3. Tulane PharmWiki
  3. Osmotic operators - Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and lactulose pull water into your gut by osmosis, softening stools for a gentle exit. Perfect for quick relief, but use caution in kidney cases. NCBI Bookshelf
    4. NCBI Bookshelf
  4. Stimulant sparkers - Bisacodyl and senna fire up nerve endings or tickle the lining to boost peristalsis. They're effective but best reserved for occasional use to avoid dependency. Wikipedia
    5. Wikipedia
  5. Softer sidekicks - Docusate sodium is a surfactant that helps water and fats mingle with stool, making it slide out easily. Ideal for post-surgery patients or anyone told to skip the strain. Tulane PharmWiki
    6. Tulane PharmWiki
  6. Watch for side effects - Laxatives can bring cramps, dehydration, and electrolyte chaos if overused. Keep an eye on your balance and don't turn stimulants into a daily habit. NCBI Bookshelf
    7. NCBI Bookshelf
  7. Avoid in emergencies - Skip laxatives if there's intestinal blockage, severe belly pain, or appendicitis signs - they could make things worse. Always assess red flags first! Osmosis
    8. Osmosis
  8. Dosing for all ages - Tailor doses for seniors (lower dose) and kiddos (age-appropriate formulations) to keep safety front and center. One size does not fit all! NCBI Bookshelf
    9. NCBI Bookshelf
  9. Lifestyle lifts - Boost fiber, hydrate like a champ, and get moving - exercise is your best long-term constipation hack. These habits can shrink your reliance on drugs! Osmosis
    10. Osmosis
  10. Mind your interactions - Bulk-formers can trap other meds, so separate doses by at least two hours. Keep your treatment plan smooth and avoid nutritional tangles. Osmosis
    11. Osmosis
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