Pharmacology and the Nursing Process 10th Edition Test Bank - Central Nervous System Stimulants and Related Drugs Related

Review Pharmacology and the Nursing Process 10th Edition Test Bank - Central Nervous System Stimulants and Related Drugs related questions and content

A patient who started taking orlistat 1 month ago calls the clinic to report some 'embarrassing' adverse effects. She tells the nurse that she has had episodes of 'not being able to control my bowel movements.' Which statement is true about this situation?

  • A. These are expected adverse effects that will eventually diminish.
  • B. The patient will need to stop this drug immediately if these adverse effects are occurring.
  • C. The patient will need to increase her fat intake to prevent these adverse effects.
  • D. The patient will need to restrict fat intake to less than 30% of total calories to help reduce these adverse effects.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Orlistat's gastrointestinal side effects, such as fecal incontinence, are related to its mechanism of inhibiting fat absorption. Restricting dietary fat to less than 30% of total calories can reduce these effects. They are not expected to diminish entirely without dietary changes, stopping the drug is not necessary, and increasing fat intake would worsen the effects.