Study for ELNEC 4: Symptom Management in Palliative Care Test with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Hints and explanations included! Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

For gastroparesis-related nausea, which antiemetic is a prokinetic option?

Gastroparesis-related nausea improves most when the antiemetic also speeds up gastric emptying. Metoclopramide acts as a prokinetic, promoting upper GI motility and accelerating gastric emptying while also helping control nausea. Its effect on the gut motility makes it particularly effective for symptoms driven by delayed gastric emptying. Ondansetron blocks 5-HT3 to prevent vomiting but doesn’t enhance gastric emptying, so it doesn’t address the motility issue. Aprepitant targets NK1 receptors and isn’t prokinetic. Dexamethasone is an antiemetic with broader, non-motility-related actions. Be mindful of metoclopramide’s potential to cause extrapyramidal side effects, and use the lowest effective dose or consider alternatives if needed.

Gastroparesis-related nausea improves most when the antiemetic also speeds up gastric emptying. Metoclopramide acts as a prokinetic, promoting upper GI motility and accelerating gastric emptying while also helping control nausea. Its effect on the gut motility makes it particularly effective for symptoms driven by delayed gastric emptying.

Ondansetron blocks 5-HT3 to prevent vomiting but doesn’t enhance gastric emptying, so it doesn’t address the motility issue. Aprepitant targets NK1 receptors and isn’t prokinetic. Dexamethasone is an antiemetic with broader, non-motility-related actions.

Be mindful of metoclopramide’s potential to cause extrapyramidal side effects, and use the lowest effective dose or consider alternatives if needed.