A client diagnosed with myasthenia gravis receives a prescription for pyridostigmine. Which intervention should the nurse implement when preparing to administer this medication?
Schedule the medication to be given just before bedtime.
Break the medication into small pieces and sprinkle onto food.
Instruct the client to avoid dairy products for at least 30 minutes.
Administer the medication thirty minutes prior to meals.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Schedule the medication to be given just before bedtime: Pyridostigmine should be timed to coincide with periods of increased activity, especially before meals, to improve muscle strength. Giving it at bedtime would not offer functional benefit unless the client experiences nighttime symptoms.
B. Break the medication into small pieces and sprinkle onto food: Pyridostigmine tablets are not designed to be crushed or split unless specifically directed. Altering the form may affect its absorption and reduce its effectiveness in managing symptoms of myasthenia gravis.
C. Instruct the client to avoid dairy products for at least 30 minutes: Dairy does not interfere significantly with the absorption or action of pyridostigmine. Dietary restrictions should be based on known drug-food interactions, which are not typically associated with pyridostigmine and dairy.
D. Administer the medication thirty minutes prior to meals: Administering pyridostigmine before meals helps enhance swallowing and chewing abilities, reducing the risk of aspiration. This timing optimizes muscle strength during eating, which is a high-risk activity for clients with myasthenia gravis.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Consult with a pharmacist about scheduling the dose one hour after the client eats: Risedronate must be taken on an empty stomach with water for proper absorption. Taking it after eating would severely reduce its effectiveness, making pharmacist consultation unnecessary at this point.
B. Assign an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to bring the client a glass of low fat milk: Milk contains calcium, which can bind to risedronate and interfere with its absorption. Providing milk at the time of administration would make the medication much less effective in treating osteoporosis.
C. Withhold the medication until the client's breakfast tray is available on the unit: Administering risedronate with or immediately after food would impair absorption. Delaying the dose until after breakfast would not meet the medication's requirements for maximum efficacy.
D. Instruct the client that it is necessary to take nothing but water with the medication: Risedronate should be taken with a full glass of plain water while fasting to ensure proper absorption. After administration, the client should also remain upright for at least 30 minutes to reduce gastrointestinal irritation.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Ask the client to describe her dietary intake history for the last several days: Orlistat works by inhibiting fat absorption, and excessive intake of dietary fats can cause oily stools and gas. Assessing the client’s recent diet helps determine if her symptoms are due to high fat consumption, which can then be managed through dietary adjustments.
B. Instruct the client to increase her intake of saturated fats over the next week: Increasing fat intake would likely worsen her symptoms, as orlistat prevents fat absorption, leading to more pronounced gastrointestinal side effects if fat intake remains high.
C. Advise the client to stop taking the drug and contact her healthcare provider (HCP): Stopping orlistat is unnecessary at this stage. Oily stools are a common and expected side effect if dietary fat intake is not controlled, so addressing dietary habits is the first and more appropriate intervention.
D. Obtain a stool specimen to evaluate for occult blood and fat content: There is no indication that the client’s symptoms suggest gastrointestinal bleeding. The oily stools are an anticipated effect of fat malabsorption caused by orlistat, not a sign of occult blood loss.
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