What it means
An oil that the body does not absorb. It coats the stool and the bowel wall, keeping water in the stool and helping it slide through. If it is breathed into the lungs it can cause a serious pneumonia, so oral mineral oil is avoided in older adults, young children and anyone who has trouble swallowing or lies flat. Used often, it lowers absorption of vitamins A, D, E and K.
For the nurse
Do not give oral mineral oil at bedtime or to a client lying down, and give it apart from other medicines and meals. Teach that it is for short-term use only.
At a glance
| Drug class | lubricant laxative |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Fleet Mineral Oil Enema |
| Spanish | aceite mineral |
Related terms
laxative
A drug that loosens stool or helps the bowels move, used to treat or prevent constipation.
aspiration pneumonia
Pneumonia that develops after food, liquid, stomach contents or saliva are breathed into the lungs.