Final answer:
When taking sennosides, patients should use laxatives for short-term therapy, understand that the medication does not cure hypothyroidism, be aware that the color of urine may change, and use other forms of bowel regulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a patient is taking sennosides, there are several important things to teach them:
- Laxatives should be used for short-term therapy: Sennosides are a type of laxative and should only be used for a short period of time to relieve constipation.
- The medication does not cure hypothyroidism: Sennosides do not treat or cure hypothyroidism, which is a separate medical condition.
- The color of the urine may change: While taking sennosides, the color of the urine may change to a pink, red, violet, yellow, or brown. This can be a normal side effect.
- Make sure other forms of bowel regulation are being used: It's important for patients taking sennosides to use other forms of bowel regulation, such as dietary changes and exercise, in addition to the medication.