Purpose
The purpose of this assignment is for students to explore the over-the-counter options to manage constipation.
Preparing the Assignment
Follow these guidelines when completing each component of the assignment. Contact your course faculty if you have questions.
- General instructions
- Use Canva.com or other infographic development tool of your choice to create a patient teaching aid about over-the-counter treatments for constipation.
- Include the following sections/headings. You do not have to use these exact words for headings, but they should be labeled in a way that is very clear to your instructor of which topic you are addressing.
- When should a laxative be used?
- Classification/Types (Bulk, Osmotic, Stimulant, Surfactant)
- How each type works
- Examples of each
- When should each laxative type be considered?
- When would each laxative type be contraindicated?
- Caution of laxative overuse
- Symptoms of laxative overuse
- Long-term health risks of laxative overuse
- Who is at risk?
- Possible referrals
- Format
- Readability
- Lay language for patients
- Creativity
- The format should not match the layout shown in the example image. Be creative.
- Reference(s)
- References used should be noted at the bottom of your infographic in a smaller font as not to distract from information provided but also validating the information came from a reliable source.
- References should be from either your textbook or a professional source such as American Gastroenterological Association (Links to an external site.), Prescriber’s Digital Reference, etc. References should not be from sources such as MayoClinic, WebMD, etc. Additionally, avoid use of journal articles for this assignment as you are looking for a more global consensus than that of one journal article.
- Screen shot
- Provide a screen shot of your infographic in Canva or other platform of your choice.
- Make sure to highlight in some manner the day and time your infographic was created like the image below.
- The infographic you submit should match the screen shot you submit with your assignment.
- Of course, the date your infographic is created should also coincide with the session of your submission.
Criteria
| Criteria | Ratings | Pts |
| Bulk Laxatives | Includes no fewer than 4 requirements. 1. How do bulk laxatives work? 2. Examples of bulk laxatives 3. When should bulk laxatives be considered? 4. When would bulk laxatives be contraindicated? | 20 pts |
| Osmotic Laxatives | Includes no fewer than 4 requirements. 1. How do osmotic laxatives work? 2. Examples of osmotic laxatives 3. When should osmotic laxatives be considered? 4. When would osmotic laxatives be contraindicated? | 20 pts |
| Stimulant Laxatives | Includes no fewer than 4 requirements. 1. How do stimulant laxatives work? 2. Examples of stimulant laxatives 3. When should stimulant laxatives be considered? 4. When would stimulant laxatives be contraindicated? | 20 pts |
| Surfactant Laxatives | Includes no fewer than 4 requirements. 1. How do surfactant laxatives work? 2. Examples of surfactant laxatives. 3. When should surfactant laxatives be considered? 4. When would surfactant laxatives be contraindicated? | 20 pts |
| Laxative Overuse | Includes no fewer than 4 requirements. 1. Symptoms of laxative overuse 2. Long-term health risks of laxative overuse 3. Who is at risk? 4. Who would you refer someone to who was experiencing laxative overuse? | 20 pts |
| General Format | Includes no fewer than 4 requirements. 1. Readability 2. Lay language for patients 3. Creativity 4. Reference(s) | 15 pts |
| Screen Shot | Includes no fewer than 4 requirements. 1. Submit a PDF or JPG of your actual infographic (not screen shots of your infographic). 2. Provide a screen shot of your infographic in Canva or other platform of your choice with the date your infographic was created highlighted like the image provided.. 3. The infographic you submit should match the screen shot you submit with your assignment. 4. The date your infographic was created also coincides with the session of your submission. |
