A client with peptic ulcer disease receives a new prescription for cimetidine. Which statement provided by the client requires additional instruction by the nurse?
Take the medication an hour after antacids.
Notify the healthcare provider of lethargy.
Decrease cigarette use to a pack per day.
Monitor for any signs of sexual dysfunction.
None
None
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Antacids can interfere with the absorption of cimetidine. It is generally recommended to avoid taking antacids within 1 hour before or after taking cimetidine to ensure optimal absorption. Therefore, taking cimetidine an hour after antacids is appropriate.
Choice B reason: Notifying the healthcare provider of lethargy is a correct statement, as it may indicate a serious side effect of cimetidine. Cimetidine can cause central nervous system effects, such as confusion, drowsiness, headache, and depression. Lethargy may also be a sign of anemia, which is another possible side effect of cimetidine. The nurse should instruct the client to report any unusual symptoms to the healthcare provider and monitor the client's blood count and liver function.
Choice C reason: Smoking has been shown to impair the effectiveness of cimetidine in treating ulcers and can delay healing. The goal should be complete smoking cessation rather than merely reducing cigarette use. Therefore, the statement about decreasing cigarette use to a pack per day indicates a misunderstanding and requires additional instruction by the nurse.
Choice D reason: Monitoring for any signs of sexual dysfunction is a correct statement, as it may indicate another side effect of cimetidine. Cimetidine can cause endocrine effects, such as gynecomastia, impotence, and decreased libido in men, and menstrual irregularities in women. The nurse should instruct the client to inform the healthcare provider if they experience any changes in their sexual function or reproductive health.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Administering both prescribed medications as scheduled is not the appropriate action in this situation. The client's total calcium level is above the normal range of 9 to 10.5 mg/dL (2.25 to 2.62 mmol/L), indicating hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia is a serious condition that can cause nausea, vomiting, constipation, confusion, kidney stones, and cardiac arrhythmias. Giving more calcitriol and calcium carbonate would worsen the client's condition and increase the risk of complications.
Choice B reason: Holding the calcium carbonate, but administering the calcitriol as scheduled is not the appropriate action in this situation. Calcium carbonate is a supplement that provides extra calcium to the body. Calcitriol is a synthetic form of vitamin D that helps the body absorb calcium from the intestines and kidneys. Both medications can increase the blood calcium level and cause hypercalcemia. The nurse should not give either medication without consulting the healthcare provider.
Choice C reason: Holding both medications until contacting the healthcare provider is the best action in this situation. The nurse should recognize that the client's total calcium level is dangerously high and report it to the healthcare provider as soon as possible. The healthcare provider may order to stop or adjust the doses of calcitriol and calcium carbonate, and prescribe other treatments to lower the blood calcium level, such as intravenous fluids, diuretics, or bisphosphonates.
Choice D reason: Holding the calcitriol, but administering the calcium carbonate as scheduled is not the appropriate action in this situation. Calcium carbonate is a supplement that provides extra calcium to the body. Giving more calcium carbonate to a client with hypercalcemia would increase the blood calcium level even more and cause more harm. The nurse should not give any medication that can raise the blood calcium level without consulting the healthcare provider.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answer is b. Liver function laboratory results.
Choice A reason:
Weight change in the last month can be an important factor to consider for a patient's overall health and may be relevant in the context of depression, as significant weight changes can be a symptom of this condition. However, it is not the most critical piece of information before prescribing duloxetine. Duloxetine is not primarily metabolized by the kidneys, and while weight can affect dosing and efficacy, it is not the most crucial factor to consider before starting treatment.
Choice B reason:
Liver function laboratory results are crucial to obtain before prescribing duloxetine because duloxetine is extensively metabolized by the liver. The prescribing information for duloxetine warns of the potential for hepatotoxicity, and hepatic failure has been reported in some cases. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the patient's liver function is normal before initiating therapy with duloxetine, as impaired liver function could lead to increased levels of the medication in the body and a higher risk of side effects.
Choice C reason:
Recent use of other antidepressants is important to consider avoiding drug interactions, particularly with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which can lead to serious, life-threatening side effects if taken together with duloxetine. While this information is important, it is not as critical as liver function, because the primary concern with other antidepressants is the timing of medication changes rather than an absolute contraindication.
Choice D reason:
A family history of mental illness can provide valuable information for understanding a patient's background and potential genetic predispositions to certain conditions. However, this information does not directly impact the safety and initial prescribing of duloxetine. It may be more relevant for long-term treatment considerations and prognosis rather than immediate prescription safety.
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