A nurse teaches a patient who takes daily low-dose aspirin for protection against myocardial infarction and stroke to avoid also taking which medication?
Diphenhydramine [Benadryl]
Loratadine [Claritin]
Ibuprofen [Motrin]
Multivitamin
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Diphenhydramine, an antihistamine, does not significantly interact with aspirin’s antiplatelet effects. It primarily blocks histamine receptors, affecting allergies, not platelet aggregation. While it may cause drowsiness, it doesn’t increase bleeding risk or counteract aspirin’s cardiovascular benefits, making it safe to use concurrently with low-dose aspirin.
Choice B reason: Loratadine, a second-generation antihistamine, targets histamine receptors to relieve allergy symptoms. It has no known interaction with aspirin’s antiplatelet mechanism or bleeding risk. Its minimal side effect profile makes it compatible with low-dose aspirin for cardiovascular protection, so avoiding it is unnecessary in this context.
Choice C reason: Ibuprofen, an NSAID, competes with aspirin for COX-1 binding sites, reducing aspirin’s antiplatelet effect critical for preventing myocardial infarction and stroke. It also increases gastrointestinal bleeding risk when combined with aspirin, making it contraindicated for patients on low-dose aspirin therapy, thus the correct choice to avoid.
Choice D reason: Multivitamins do not interfere with aspirin’s antiplatelet action or increase bleeding risk. They provide supplemental nutrients without affecting COX-1 inhibition or platelet aggregation. There’s no pharmacological basis for avoiding multivitamins with low-dose aspirin, making this choice irrelevant for the patient’s cardiovascular regimen.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Synthesis of more receptor sites (upregulation) typically occurs with receptor antagonists, not agonists, as the body compensates for blocked receptors. This would increase drug sensitivity, not decrease effectiveness. For most medications, continuous exposure leads to desensitization, not receptor proliferation, making this choice incorrect for explaining tolerance.
Choice B reason: Decreased receptor selectivity implies a drug binding to unintended receptors, causing varied effects, not reduced efficacy. Tolerance results from receptor desensitization, not altered selectivity. This mechanism doesn’t explain the patient’s “immunity” to the drug’s therapeutic effects, making this choice scientifically inaccurate for the scenario.
Choice C reason: Desensitization occurs when continuous drug exposure reduces receptor responsiveness, leading to tolerance. For example, opioid receptors downregulate or internalize with prolonged agonist exposure, decreasing drug efficacy. This explains the patient’s perception of “immunity” as the drug’s effect diminishes over time, making this the correct choice.
Choice D reason: The body does not produce antagonists to compete with drugs for receptor sites. Tolerance arises from receptor desensitization or metabolic changes (e.g., enzyme induction), not endogenous antagonist production. This mechanism is not a recognized pharmacological process for reduced drug effectiveness, making this choice incorrect.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C"]
Explanation
Choice A reason: Selectivity ensures a drug targets specific receptors, minimizing side effects. This is a key property of an ideal drug, making it a correct choice.
Choice B reason: Safety is critical, ensuring the drug causes minimal harm at therapeutic doses. This is a fundamental ideal drug property, so it is correct.
Choice C reason: Effectiveness ensures the drug achieves its intended therapeutic effect. This is essential for an ideal drug, making it a correct choice.
Choice D reason: Irreversible action is not ideal; reversible effects allow control and safety. The ‘Big Three’ focus on efficacy, safety, and selectivity, so this is incorrect.
Choice E reason: A trade name aids marketing but is not a pharmacological property. Effectiveness, safety, and selectivity are primary, so this is incorrect.
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