Which side effect of statin medications like simvastatin should be the most concerning?
Dry mouth
Diarrhea
Muscle pain
Headache
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Dry mouth is a relatively minor side effect of statin medications and is generally not a cause for significant concern. While it can be uncomfortable and may affect oral health if persistent, it does not typically indicate a serious underlying condition.
Choice B reason: Diarrhea can be an inconvenient and uncomfortable side effect of statins, but it is not usually considered dangerous. It is important to manage it to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, but it is not as concerning as some other side effects.
Choice C reason: Muscle pain, also known as myalgia, is the most concerning side effect of statin medications like simvastatin. In rare cases, muscle pain can progress to a more serious condition called rhabdomyolysis, where muscle tissue breaks down rapidly, releasing a protein called myoglobin into the bloodstream. This can lead to kidney damage and, in severe cases, kidney failure. Therefore, any new or unexplained muscle pain should be promptly reported to a healthcare provider for evaluation.
Choice D reason: Headache is a common and generally mild side effect of many medications, including statins. While it can be bothersome, it is not typically indicative of a serious problem and is not considered as concerning as muscle pain related to statin use.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Preventing constipation is not the primary reason for prescribing metoprolol alongside nifedipine. While managing side effects is important in patient care, metoprolol does not have a notable effect on gastrointestinal motility to address constipation.
Choice B reason: Reducing flushing is not the main purpose of metoprolol. Flushing can sometimes be a side effect of vasodilatory medications, but it is not the specific reason for adding a beta-blocker like metoprolol to a treatment regimen involving a calcium channel blocker like nifedipine.
Choice C reason: Minimizing gingival hyperplasia is not the intended effect of metoprolol. Gingival hyperplasia can be a side effect of certain medications, such as calcium channel blockers like nifedipine, but metoprolol does not specifically counteract this effect.
Choice D reason: Preventing reflex tachycardia is the primary reason for prescribing metoprolol alongside nifedipine. Nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker, can cause vasodilation, which may lead to a reflex increase in heart rate (tachycardia) as the body tries to maintain blood pressure. Metoprolol, a beta-blocker, helps prevent this reflex tachycardia by slowing the heart rate and reducing the workload on the heart, thus complementing the antihypertensive effect of nifedipine.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Crackles in the lung bases may indicate fluid overload or pulmonary edema, which could be a reason to administer a loop diuretic to help remove excess fluid from the body. Therefore, this assessment would not typically lead to withholding the diuretic.
Choice B reason: A serum potassium level of 2.6 mEq/L is significantly low (hypokalemia). Loop diuretics, such as furosemide, can further decrease potassium levels, which can be dangerous and lead to severe complications such as cardiac arrhythmias. Therefore, the nurse should withhold the diuretic and address the low potassium level before considering further diuretic therapy.
Choice C reason: +2 pitting peripheral edema indicates fluid retention, which is commonly treated with loop diuretics. The presence of edema would not usually warrant withholding the diuretic; instead, it suggests a need for the medication to help reduce the fluid buildup.
Choice D reason: Weight gain of 2 pounds in 2 days could indicate fluid retention, especially in patients with conditions such as heart failure. This would be an indication to use a loop diuretic rather than to withhold it, as the medication would help remove the excess fluid from the body.
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