Roach's Introductory Clinical Pharmacology 11th Edition - Skeletal Muscle, Bone, and Joint Disorder Drugs Related

Review Roach's Introductory Clinical Pharmacology 11th Edition - Skeletal Muscle, Bone, and Joint Disorder Drugs related questions and content

Which of the following would be most important for the nurse to assess when administering a bisphosphonate to a client with Paget's disease?

  • A. Altered renal function
  • B. Increased skin rashes
  • C. Serum calcium levels
  • D. Hematology function
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The nurse should monitor the serum levels of calcium before, during, and after bisphosphonate therapy, because bisphosphonates act primarily on the bone by inhibiting normal and abnormal bone resorption. These drugs are used cautiously in clients with renal function impairment but do not alter renal function. The nurse should monitor the client's renal function when allopurinol is administered and hematology function when methotrexate is administered.