A patient, diagnosed with a gastric ulcer, is prescribed sucralfate. Which of the following should the nurse instruct the patient regarding this medication?
1. Increase water, exercise, and fiber intake to avoid the complication of constipation.
2. The only side effect is diarrhea.
3. Take this medication with other prescribed medications.
4. Take this medication until the symptoms are relieved.
1
Rationale: Sucralfate is used for short-term ulcer treatment. The major adverse effect is constipation. Therefore, the nurse should instruct the patient to increase water, exercise, and fiber intake to avoid the complication of constipation. Diarrhea is not a side effect of this medication. This medication should be taken alone and not with other medications. After taking, the patient should wait 30 minutes before taking any other medication. The patient should be instructed to complete the full course of this medication even if symptoms subside.
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