Question

When administering the drug senna to a patient, a health care provider must inform

the patient of which of the following
a. This drug is intended to lower blood pressure and is best used in combination
with other antihypertensives
b. This drug is not intended for long term use
c. The patient must limit his/her fiber intake
d. Advise patient to change positions slowly to limit the risk of
orthostatic hypotension

Answer 1

Senna is a stimulant laxative used for short-term treatment of constipation and is not intended for long-term use. Unlike diuretics that treat hypertension, senna works by irritating the bowel lining to induce bowel movements and does not affect sodium reabsorption in the kidneys.

Step-by-step explanation:

When administering the drug senna to a patient, a health care provider must inform the patient that this drug is not intended for long-term use. Senna is a stimulant laxative used to treat constipation. It works by irritating the lining of the bowel to induce bowel movements. Senna is typically prescribed for short-term relief, and prolonged use can lead to dependency or alter normal bowel function.

It is important to note that senna is not a diuretic used to treat hypertension, nor does it work on the loop of Henle to inhibit the reabsorption of Na+ and Cl-. Diuretics typically used for lowering blood pressure or treating heart failure include classes such as loop diuretics, thiazides, and potassium-sparing diuretics. These drugs indeed work by affecting the kidney's ability to reabsorb sodium, potentially leading to effects such as orthostatic hypotension for which patients might be advised to change positions slowly.