Which laxative class is used to draw water into the colon to assist with bowel evacuation?

Saline laxatives are specifically designed to draw water into the colon, which helps to facilitate bowel evacuation. They work by osmosis, meaning they pull water into the bowel from the surrounding tissues, increasing the volume of the intestinal contents. This added water softens the stool and stimulates bowel contractions, making it easier for the body to eliminate waste.

Stool softeners also aid in making bowel movements easier but do not function by drawing water into the colon like saline laxatives do; rather, they mix with the stool to help it retain moisture. Diuretics are primarily used to promote the excretion of water and salts from the body through urine and are not intended for bowel evacuation. Bulk-forming laxatives, while they do aid in bowel movements by increasing the bulk of the stool, work by absorbing water to form a gel-like substance, which encourages bowel movement rather than drawing water into the colon directly. Thus, saline laxatives are distinct in their mechanism of action, making them the correct answer.