While a patient is receiving antilipemic therapy, the nurse knows to monitor the patient closely for the development of which problem?
- A. Neutropenia
- B. Pulmonary problems
- C. Vitamin C deficiency
- D. Liver dysfunction
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Antilipemic drugs, particularly statins and niacin, can cause liver dysfunction, requiring regular monitoring of liver function tests. Neutropenia, pulmonary problems, and vitamin C deficiency are not associated with antilipemic therapy.
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A patient with coronary artery disease asks the nurse about the 'good cholesterol' laboratory values. The nurse knows that 'good cholesterol' refers to which lipids?
- A. Triglycerides
- B. Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs)
- C. Very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs)
- D. High-density lipoproteins (HDLs)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) are considered 'good cholesterol' due to their cardioprotective role in cholesterol recycling. LDLs and VLDLs are associated with increased cardiovascular risk, and triglycerides are not classified as 'good cholesterol.'
Antilipemic drug therapy is prescribed for a patient, and the nurse is providing instructions to the patient about the medication. Which instructions will the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Limit fluid intake to prevent fluid overload.
- B. Eat extra servings of raw vegetables and fruit.
- C. Report abnormal or unusual bleeding or yellow discoloration of the skin.
- D. Report the occurrence of muscle pain immediately.
- E. Drug interactions are rare with antilipemics.
- F. Take the drug 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals to maximize absorption.
Correct Answer: B,C,D
Rationale: Instructions include eating raw vegetables and fruit to prevent constipation, reporting bleeding or jaundice (indicating liver issues), and reporting muscle pain (potential myopathy). Antilipemics have frequent drug interactions, and fluid intake should be encouraged, not limited. Taking with food may reduce GI distress, not before/after meals.
A patient with elevated lipid levels has a new prescription for niacin. The nurse informs the patient that which adverse effects may occur with this medication?
- A. Pruritus, cutaneous flushing
- B. Tinnitus, urine with a burnt odor
- C. Myalgia, fatigue
- D. Blurred vision, headaches
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Niacin commonly causes pruritus and cutaneous flushing due to its vasodilatory effects. Tinnitus and urine odor are associated with bile acid sequestrants, myalgia and fatigue with statins, and blurred vision and headaches are not typical niacin adverse effects.
A patient who has recently started therapy on a statin drug asks the nurse how long it will take until he sees an effect on his serum cholesterol. Which statement would be the nurse's best response?
- A. Blood levels return to normal within a week of beginning therapy.
- B. It takes 6 to 8 weeks to see a change in cholesterol levels.
- C. It takes at least 6 months to see a change in cholesterol levels.
- D. You will need to take this medication for almost a year to see significant results.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Statins typically require 6 to 8 weeks to achieve maximum lipid-lowering effects. One week is too short, and 6 months or a year is unnecessarily long for initial effects.
A patient tells the nurse that he likes to eat large amounts of garlic 'to help lower his cholesterol levels naturally.' The nurse reviews his medication history and notes that which drug has a potential interaction with the garlic?
- A. Acetaminophen
- B. Warfarin
- C. Digoxin
- D. Phenytoin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Garlic can enhance the anticoagulant effects of warfarin, increasing bleeding risk due to its antiplatelet properties. Acetaminophen, digoxin, and phenytoin do not have significant interactions with garlic.
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