Your Patient Reports Frequent Constipation as a Result of Prescription

Multiple Choice

Your patient reports frequent constipation as a result of prescription medications and asks the nurse for advice about using a daily over-the-counter laxative.The most appropriate response by the nurse is to do which of the following?

A) Tell the patient to consult the health practitioner before using nonprescription drugs.
B) Educate the patient about the side effects of regular laxative use.
C) Tell the patient to avoid laxatives because they can interfere with medications already being taken.
D) Tell the patient to consult a dietician about ways to correct chronic constipation.