One of the nurse's older adult patients is abusing laxatives. Which would be an appropriate intervention for this patient to help reduce this chronic laxative use and dependency?
a. Advise the patient to take a laxative once weekly.
b. Stop the patient from taking any laxatives.
c. Have the patient take an enema instead of a laxative.
d. Have the patient drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day.
ANS: D
Older adult patients should be taught nondrug measures to prevent constipation, such as increasing fluid intake to 6 to 8 glasses of water a day if permitted and tolerated.
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