Pharmacotherapy for Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Disorders

Patient HL comes into the clinic with the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, and

diarrhea. The patient has a history of drug abuse and possible Hepatitis C. HL is currently taking

the following prescription drugs:

Synthroid 100 mcg daily

Nifedipine 30 mg daily

Prednisone 10 mg daily

Consider whether the patient has a disorder related to the gastrointestinal and

hepatobiliary system or whether the symptoms are the result of a disorder from another system or

other factors such as pregnancy, drugs, or a psychological disorder.

Consider an appropriate drug therapy plan based on the patient’s history, diagnosis, and

drugs currently prescribed.

Based on information given, and the patient exhibiting symptoms of nausea, vomiting,

and diarrhea, a diagnosis of some form of a stomach virus also medically termed acute

gastroenteritis. Acute gastritis is a sudden inflammation or swelling in the lining of the stomach.

Symptoms can also cause abdominal pain, coupled with nausea, vomiting and fever may also

occur with these symptoms (Diskin, 2017). How the illness begins, spreads from contact to

contact with someone that may have already has been affected or eating contaminated food.

To alleviate the present symptoms and have the patient in the most comfortable care as

possible, a treatment protocol would consist of rehydration via saline fluids from loss of

vomiting and diarrhea. As a provider giving medical assistance, staff must always be cognizant

of reducing symptoms while preventing further complications (Arcangelo & Peterson, 2013).

In being aware of the patient’s current medications and previous drug history, drug

therapy and treatment plan would be consisting of non-habit-forming medications such as

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Phenergan and Zofran. Imodium A-D will also be prescribed to assist with diaherra. Patient will

be advised and instructed to be placed on a liquid diet which will consists of clear liquids,

electrolytes such Gatorade and Powerade will be strongly encouraged. Food recommendations

such as clear liquid broth, Jell-O, and Saltine crackers will also be recommended. Since the

patient is may also have Hep-C, additional testing may also be explored to test the patient’s liver

and conduct Hepatis C testing to see if the patient is at risk. During treatment of patient HL,

further and additional inquires would be asked to see why patient is taking Prednisone and what

is the patient taking this medication for? Prednisone side effects generally includes upset

stomach (Huether & McCance, 2017), but discontinuance of the medication would not be

encouraged, but a tapering of decreasing dosage would begin.

References

Arcangelo, P. V., & Peterson, A. M. (2013). Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice: A

Practical Approach (3rd ed.). Ambler, PA: Lippincott Williams &

Diskin, A. (2017, February 10). Emergent Treatment of Gastroenteritis. Medscape. Retrieved

from https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/775277-overview

Huether, S. E., & McCance, K. L. (2017). Understanding Pathophysiology (6th ed.). St. Louis,

Mo: Mosby

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