Which of the following drug would be prescribed for a patient who had barium enema?

Appeared in: NORCET -4 , 2023

Explanation

A barium enema uses barium sulfate, a contrast medium that can absorb water and harden within the colon after the procedure.
This hardening creates a significant risk for severe constipation or fecal impaction, which is a serious complication.
Laxatives are prescribed as a standard post-procedure intervention to stimulate peristalsis (bowel muscle contractions).
This action ensures the prompt and complete expulsion of the barium from the body, preventing obstruction.

Option B: Neomycin is an antibiotic used to decrease bacteria in the bowel, not to expel contrast material.
Option C: Antacids neutralize stomach acid and have no effect on the colon or the evacuation of barium.
Option D: Zinc is a mineral supplement and has no laxative properties or role in clearing the bowel after a diagnostic procedure.

Visual 1: Diagram: Illustration of the lower gastrointestinal tract showing retained barium sulfate, highlighting the risk of it hardening and forming an impaction in the colon.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Post-procedure pharmacological management after a barium enema to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
The nurse's primary role post-barium enema is to prevent complications like fecal impaction by administering prescribed laxatives and encouraging fluid intake.
Patient education is critical: the nurse must inform the patient to expect white or chalky stools for 24-72 hours and to report if they have no bowel movement within 2 days, as this could indicate an obstruction.
What if? If a patient reports abdominal pain, distention, and no bowel movement 48 hours after a barium enema, the nurse should suspect a bowel obstruction, assess bowel sounds, and notify the healthcare provider immediately for further evaluation.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question: it asks for a medication given after a barium enema.
Next, recall the properties of the contrast agent used, barium sulfate. It is a chalky, dense substance that can absorb water and harden.
Then, connect this property to the primary post-procedure risk: hardened barium leads to constipation or fecal impaction.
Evaluate the given options based on this primary risk. Ask yourself, 'Which of these drugs addresses constipation?'
Finally, select the drug class specifically designed to promote bowel movements, which is a laxative. The other options have entirely different mechanisms of action unrelated to this clinical problem.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full NORCET -4 , 2023

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.