A patient has been taking donepezil for 2 weeks as part of the treatment for early stages of Alzheimer's disease. Her daughter calls the prescriber's office and is upset because "Mother has not improved one bit!" Which response by the nurse is appropriate?
"Increase the dosage to twice daily."
"Take the medication on an empty stomach for Improved absorption."
"It takes time for the cure to take effect."
"It may take up to 6 weeks to see an improvement."
The Correct Answer is D
A. "Increase the dosage to twice daily.": Changing the dosage should only be done under the guidance of the prescriber based on clinical assessment, not in response to perceived lack of improvement.
B. "Take the medication on an empty stomach for improved absorption.": While taking donepezil with or without food may affect absorption, this instruction is not directly related to the timing of improvement in symptoms.
C. "It takes time for the cure to take effect.": Alzheimer's disease cannot be cured, and this statement may provide false hope to the patient's daughter.
D. "It may take up to 6 weeks to see an improvement.": This response provides accurate
information about the expected timeline for therapeutic effects of donepezil and encourages patience in observing improvement.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Acetaminophen is generally considered safe for patients with a history of peptic ulcer disease.
It does not irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
B. Patients with a history of liver disease should not receive acetaminophen or should use it with caution and under close supervision, as acetaminophen is metabolized in the liver. Liver
impairment can lead to decreased metabolism of acetaminophen, potentially resulting in drug accumulation and hepatotoxicity.
C. Acetaminophen is commonly used to relieve mild to moderate headaches. However, the appropriateness of acetaminophen use in this scenario depends on the patient's overall health status and any contraindications specific to the individual.
D. Acetaminophen is often used to reduce fever. A fever of 101°F (38.3°C) alone does not necessarily contraindicate acetaminophen use, but caution should be exercised in patients with liver disease.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Take the medication in the morning to prevent insomnia: This instruction is not directly
related to minimizing anticholinergic effects; it's more about managing the timing of medication administration.
B. Use cooling measures to decrease fever: Anticholinergic effects do not typically cause fever, so this instruction is not relevant.
C. Chew sugarless gum to moisten the mouth: Anticholinergic medications can cause dry mouth (xerostomia), and chewing gum can stimulate saliva production, alleviating this side effect.
D. Take an antacid to relieve nausea: Anticholinergic effects can include nausea, but taking an antacid is not a specific strategy for managing this side effect.
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