Which of the following drugs that causes expulsion of gas from the intestinal tract:

Appeared in: OSSSC Nursing Officer-2021

Explanation

Carminatives are the specific class of drugs indicated for relieving flatulence (gas).
Their primary mechanism is to provide relief from gaseous distention by improving the ability to pass flatus.
An example of a carminative preparation is an MGW solution enema, which contains magnesium, glycerin, and water to help expel gas.

Option A: Laxatives are used to promote bowel movements and treat constipation, not primarily to expel gas. While they may indirectly help with gas, it is not their main function.
Option B: Cathartics are a strong type of laxative used for rapid and complete bowel evacuation. Their action is much more potent than what is needed for simple gas relief.
Option D: Astringents cause tissue contraction and are used to reduce bleeding or secretions. They have no pharmacological action related to the expulsion of intestinal gas.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Pharmacology of Gastrointestinal Drugs helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses frequently manage patient complaints of gas pain, especially in postoperative settings where anesthesia and immobility slow down peristalsis. Knowing to administer a carminative is a key intervention for patient comfort.
It is crucial for nurses to accurately assess the patient's symptoms. Mistaking gas pain for constipation and administering a strong laxative or cathartic could cause unnecessary discomfort and adverse effects.
What if? If a postoperative patient complains of severe abdominal bloating and has no bowel sounds (paralytic ileus), administering a carminative or laxative is contraindicated. The correct nursing action would be to notify the surgeon, as this could indicate a serious complication requiring interventions like nasogastric decompression.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept in the question stem: the 'expulsion of gas from the intestinal tract'.
This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of different gastrointestinal drug classifications.
Mentally define each of the four options based on their primary pharmacological action.
Compare the definition of each option with the action described in the question.
Laxatives and cathartics relate to bowel movements. Astringents relate to tissue contraction. Carminatives specifically relate to expelling gas.
Select the option whose primary action directly matches the 'expulsion of gas'.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 6 p. 42-44

Practise the full OSSSC Nursing Officer-2021

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