Question

a nurse is considering medication options for a patient diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (ibs - c). which medication is most appropriate to prescribe to alleviate the patient’s symptoms?

• loperamide
• mesalamine
• metoclopramide
• lubiprostone

Explanation:

• Loperamide is an antidiarrheal, which would worsen constipation in IBS-C.
• Mesalamine is used for inflammatory bowel diseases, not IBS-C.
• Metoclopramide is a prokinetic for upper GI issues, not first-line for IBS-C.
• Lubiprostone is a chloride channel activator approved to treat IBS-C by increasing intestinal fluid and motility to relieve constipation.

Answer:

D. Lubiprostone