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8 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What is constipation?
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A condition in which there is difficulty in emptying the bowels
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What is a laxative?
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A drug tending to stimulate or facilitate evacuation of the bowels
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What are the main types of laxative?
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Bulk-producing agents, Stool softeners/surfactants, Lubricants/emollient, Hydrating agents (osmotics) [Two types, Saline and Hyperosmotic agents]
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How does lactulose act as a laxative?
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cathartic (laxative) effect through osmotic action.
In treating constipation lactulose works by increasing the water content and volume of the stools in the bowel, making them softer and easier to pass |
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What is osmolarity?
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The concentration of a solution expressed as the total number of solute particles pet LITRE
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What is osmolality?
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The concentration of a solution expressed as the total number of solute particles per KILOGRAM
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What is hyperammonemia?
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An increase in blood ammonia concentration from the normal range (40 - 80 micromol)
Leads to disturbance of consciousness, coma, and sometimes death |
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How does lactulose act to reduce blood ammonia?
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Lactulose appears to inhibit intestinal ammonia production by a number of mechanisms. The conversion of Lactulose to lactic acid results in acidification of the gut lumen. This favors conversion of NH4 + to NH3 and the passage of NH3 from tissues into the lumen. Gut acidification inhibits ammoniagenic coliform bacteria, leading to increased levels of nonammoniagenic lactobacilli. Lactulose also works as a cathartic, reducing colonic bacterial load.
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