Which of the following statements made by a nurse discussing the effec

Which of the following statements made by a nurse discussing the effect of an antibiotic on the gastrointestinal system reflects the best understanding of the possible occurrence of diarrhea?

1. “The GI tract naturally rids itself of bacterial toxins by increasing peristalsis, and that causes diarrhea.”
2. “The antibiotic is responsible for killing off the GI tract’s normal bacterial, and diarrhea is the result.”
3. “For some, antibiotics irritate the mucous lining of the intestines, causing de-creased absorption and diarrhea.”
4. “When you are taking an antibiotic, your body is fighting off an infection, and peristalsis is faster and so diarrhea occurs.”

ANSWER

ANS: 2
Antibiotics inadvertently produce diarrhea by disrupting the normal bacterial flora in the GI tract. The remaining options are not necessarily true.