Question

A nursing student is caring for a patient who is taking sucralfate (Carafate) and ciprofloxin (Cipro) to treat peptic ulcer disease. The student asks the nurse about the pharmacokinetics of sucralfate. Which statement by the student indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "Sucralfate adheres to the ulcer and blocks the back-diffusion of hydrogen ions."
B. "Sucralfate and ciprofloxacin should be administered 1 hour apart."
C. "Sucralfate does not cause systemic side effects."
D. "Sucralfate has a moderate acid-neutralizing capacity."

Answer 1

Answer:

D. "Sucralfate has a moderate acid-neutralizing capacity."

Explanation:

Sucralfate is used to treat peptic ulcers in combination with other drugs. It reacts with hydrochloric acid in the stomach and forms a viscous material by mechanism of cross-linking. This material has paste like consistency and forms a protective barrier on ulcers by attaching with the proteins on ulcer surface. The barrier does not allow further harm due to action of acid on ulcer. It also does not allow the diffusion of hydrogen ions back into stomach cells. But it is not involved in neutralizing the acid and increasing the pH of stomach. It can show minor antacid activity but that it not considered clinically significant.