A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient who will be going home on cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) prescribed for his acute musculoskeletal pain.
The nurse will stress that the patient should avoid what?

Choice A rationale

Barrier contraceptives are recommended for women taking HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors due to the potential teratogenic effects of these drugs. This precaution is crucial as these medications can cause fetal harm if used during pregnancy.

Choice B rationale

While ophthalmic examinations may be important for other medications, they are not a primary concern for HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. These drugs mainly affect cholesterol synthesis and have less direct impact on vision.

Choice C rationale

Although a cholesterol-lowering diet is beneficial, it is not the primary teaching point when discussing HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. The emphasis should be on medication adherence and managing potential adverse effects.

Choice D rationale

Reporting respiratory symptoms is important for many medications but is not the primary focus for HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. The priority is to inform patients about the importance of contraception and potential side effects related to the medication.

Choice A rationale

Ethosuximide (Zarontin) is used to treat absence seizures and is not suitable for emergency control of status epilepticus. It primarily works by affecting the T-type calcium channels in the brain.

Choice B rationale

Diazepam (Valium) is used in the emergency control of status epilepticus due to its fast-acting anticonvulsant properties. It enhances the effect of the neurotransmitter GABA, leading to an inhibitory effect on neuronal activity.

Choice C rationale

Phenobarbital (Luminal) is a barbiturate used for long-term management of epilepsy but is less preferred for immediate emergency control of status epilepticus due to its slower onset of action.

Choice D rationale

Phenytoin (Dilantin) can be used for the maintenance treatment of seizures, but it is less effective for the immediate control of status epilepticus compared to benzodiazepines like diazepam.