ACTIVE LEARNING TEMPLATE

Medication
G.H
NAME______________________________________________________

CONTENT___________________________________________________ REVIEW MODULE CHAPTER________________

TOPIC DESCRIPTOR ____________________________________________________________________________________

Senna
MEDICATION___________________________________________________________________________________________

EXPECTED Direct action on intestinal mucosa, increasing the rate of colonic motility,
PHARMACOLOGICAL enhancing colonic transit, and inhibiting water and electrolyte secretion.
ACTION:

Therapeutic Uses
Short-term treatment of constipation, Evacuation of the bowel
prior to rectal or bowel examination.

Adverse Effects Nursing Interventions

Common: Abdominal cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting Assess for abdominal distention,
Serious: Nephritis, hepatotoxicity, melanotic pigmentation presence of bowel sounds, and
of the colonic mucosa. usual pattern of bowel function
Assess color, consistency, and
amount of stool produced.

Contraindications
Intestinal obstruction
Acute intestinal inflammation (e.g, Crohn's disease)
Appendicitis (nausea, vomiting, or other symptoms of appendicitis)
Ulcerative Colitis Client Education
Abdominal pain of unknown origin.
Stop use and contact prescriber if
you develop nausea, vomiting,
persistent diarrhea, or abdominal
Medication/Food Interactions cramps.
Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with Senna. If constipation worsens or you
experience no relief, contact
prescriber.

Medication Administration Evaluation of Medication

Effectiveness
tablet, syrup, liquid
Once daily doses should be taken at bedtime. patient can have frequent bowel
Granules may be eaten plain, sprinkled on food, or mixed movement with no difficullty.
in liquids.

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