A patient who has traveler's diarrhea asks the nurse about using loperamide to stop the symptoms. What will the nurse tell the patient about this drug?
a. "Loperamide is used for moderate to se-vere symptoms only."
b. "This drug is useful as prophylaxis to prevent symptoms."
c. "This drug is only effective to treat certain infectious agents."
d. "Use of this drug may prolong symptoms by slowing peristalsis."
D
Loperamide is a nonspecific antidiarrheal that slows peristalsis; by this action, it may delay transit of the causative organism and may prolong the infection. It is used to treat mild symptoms and is used once symptoms start. It is not an antibiotic agent and is nonspecific.
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