Minerals and Elimination Medications

Vocabulary practice cards covering essential minerals, bowel elimination drugs, urinary elimination medications, side effects, and related elimination concepts.

Calcium

The most abundant mineral in the body; supports bones and teeth, helps regulate cholesterol and blood pressure; deficiency combined with low vitamin D leads to osteoporosis and fractures.

Iron

A mineral that carries oxygen, forms RBCs, supports immunity, and regulates growth; low levels cause iron deficiency anemia (monitored via CBC: Hgb, Hct); absorption is enhanced by vitamin C.

Sodium

A mineral involved in digestion and blood pressure regulation; its intake and excretion are directly linked to edema and hypertension, managed via the DASH diet.

Potassium

An electrolyte that regulates blood pressure, balances fluids, and supports sensory function; pulled out of the body by potassium-wasting diuretics and found in high levels in bananas and tomatoes.

Zinc

A mineral that functions as an antioxidant and aids in wound healing, immunity, liver function, eyesight, reproduction, and sexual development; found in nuts and seeds.

Bulk-forming laxatives

Fiber supplements (such as psyllium, calcium polycarbophil, and methylcellulose) that absorb water and build bulk in the stool; must be administered with 8 oz of fluid followed by another glass of water to avoid GI obstruction.

Osmotic laxatives

Agents such as polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX), lactulose, magnesium hydroxide, and glycerin suppositories that raise osmotic pressure to pull water into the intestine to soften stool.

Saline laxatives

Laxatives such as sodium biphosphate that use an osmotic effect to add fluid to the bowel and stimulate peristalsis; can cause sodium and fluid retention if absorbed.

Lubricant laxatives

Agents including mineral oil and castor oil that coat the stool so it moves through the intestine faster; indicated for significant constipation and fecal impaction.

Stimulant laxatives (cathartics)

Medications such as bisacodyl and sennosides that cause rhythmic contractions of the intestines to purge the bowel; carry the highest side effects of any laxative class, including cramping, proctitis, and dependence.

Stool softeners (surfactants)

Medications such as docusate sodium that hold water in and moisten the stool; prevent constipation in patients who should not strain, take 12–72 hours to produce a bowel movement.

Chloride channel activators

Medications including lubiprostone (Amitiza) and linaclotide (Linzess) that increase fluid secretion in the intestine to promote motility; prescribed for chronic idiopathic constipation and IBS.

Loperamide (Imodium A-D)

An antidiarrheal medication that blocks acetylcholine to slow intestinal motility and helps absorb excess fluid; contraindicated in severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

Simethicone (Gas-X)

An antiflatulent agent that joins small gas bubbles together so gas passes more easily through the GI tract.

Urinary anticholinergics

Drugs such as oxybutynin and tolterodine that relax the detrusor muscle by blocking muscarinic receptors from acetylcholine, allowing the bladder to fill; indicated for overactive bladder.

Bethanechol (Urecholine)

A cholinergic medication that stimulates bladder contractions so the patient can void; given for urinary retention and neurogenic bladder that cannot feel the urge to void.

Atropine

The specific antidote used to reverse cholinergic toxicity caused by medications like bethanechol.

Loop and thiazide diuretics

Potassium-wasting diuretics (such as furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide) that prevent sodium and potassium reabsorption in the kidney tubules to lower fluid volume; administered early (0900, 1700) to prevent nocturia.

Spironolactone

A potassium-sparing diuretic that blocks sodium reabsorption in the distal tubule while retaining potassium; patients must avoid potassium-containing salt substitutes.

Tamsulosin (Flomax)

An alpha-blocker used to manage urinary symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate).