DRUG MECHANISM OF ACTION/ SIDE INDICATION/ NURSING RESPONSIBILITIES

EFFECTS CONTRAINDICATION
Generic Name: Mechanism of Action: Indication: Before Administration
Religiously follow the 10 rights:
Lactulose Lactulose is a synthetic Lactulose is indicated for use as
1. Right Drug
disaccharide of galactose and a laxative in the treatment of
Brand Name: fructose that resist intestinal chronic constipation in adults and 2. Right Patient
disaccharidase activity. The geriatric patients 3. Right Dose
Movelax sugars are joined by a beta 4. Right Route
glycosidic linkage and are 5. Right Time and Frequency
Classification: resistant to hydrolysis by human Contraindication:
digestive enzymes. Lactulose is 6. Right Documentation
Synthetic disaccharide fermented by a limited number of Lactulose is relatively 7. Right History and
colonic bacteria. contraindicated prior to surgery, Assessment
Frequency: especially if the procedure 8. Right Drug approach and
requires electrocautery during right to refuse
Twice a day (BID) proctoscopy or colonoscopy.
9. Right Drug-drug interaction
Side Effects:
Dosage: and Evaluation
The more common side effects 10. Right Education and
3.3g/5mL that can occur with lactulose Information
include:
Route:
Responsibility: Nurses are
 Diarrhea responsible for ensuring safe and
Oral Route
 Bloating quality patient care at all times.
 Nausea
 Stomach pain Perform the three checks
 Vomiting
1. Check the order of the
doctor in the MAR
2. Check the drug in the MAR
before preparing it
3. Check the prepared drug in
the MAR before giving to the
patient/client

Responsibility: Ensure that the

medication used to be
administered to the patient is the
correct drug. Also, to ensure that
the medication given is not
expired.

During Administration

Provide the medication by

providing the client the prescribed
dosage of lactulose from a
medicine cup or spoon and intake
orally.

Responsibility:
As nurses, it is our responsibility
to provide the medication to the
patient via oral route. Ensure that
the client is able to swallow the
medication properly.

After Administration

Assess and record the patient’s

response to the drug that was
given.

Responsibility:
The responsibility of the nurse is
to observe the client if they feel
nauseated, or wanting to vomit,
might be having diarrhea, and
other potential adverse effects
that can occur to the client.

Continuous monitoring of the

client’s well-being and response to
the drug taken three times a day.

Responsibility:
The nurse’s responsibility is to
ensure the avoidance of any
adverse effects and observe any
side effects pointed out by the
client such as stomach pain or
bloating.