Deck 27: Antilipemic Drugs

Question 1

A patient who has recently started therapy on a statin drug asks the nurse how long it will take until he sees an effect on his serum cholesterol. Which statement would be the nurse's best response?

A) "Blood levels return to normal within a week of beginning therapy."
B) "It takes 6 to 8 weeks to see a change in cholesterol levels."
C) "It takes at least 6 months to see a change in cholesterol levels."
D) "You will need to take this medication for almost a year to see significant results."

Answer 1

"It takes 6 to 8 weeks to see a change in cholesterol levels."

Question 2

The medication order reads, "Give simvastatin (Zocor) 10 mg daily at bedtime, PO." The medication is available in 20-mg tablets. How many tablets will the nurse administer to the patient?

Answer 2

⅟₂ tablet
20 mg : 1 tab :: 10 mg : x tab
(20 × x) = (1 × 10); 20x = 10; x = 0.5 or ⅟₂ ; administer ⅟₂ tablet

Question 3

A patient tells the nurse that he likes to eat large amounts of garlic "to help lower his cholesterol levels naturally." The nurse reviews his medication history and notes that which drug has a potential interaction with the garlic?

A) acetaminophen (Tylenol)
B) warfarin (Coumadin)
C) digoxin (Lanoxin)
D) phenytoin (Dilantin)

Answer 3

warfarin (Coumadin)

Question 4

A patient reports having adverse effects with nicotinic acid (niacin). The nurse can suggest performing which action to minimize these undesirable effects?

A) Take the drug on an empty stomach.
B) Take the medication every other day until the effects subside.
C) Take an aspirin tablet 30 minutes before taking the drug.
D) Take the drug with large amounts of fiber.

Question 5

A patient with elevated lipid levels has a new prescription for nicotinic acid (niacin). The nurse informs the patient that which adverse effects may occur with this medication?

A) Pruritus, cutaneous flushing
B) Tinnitus, urine with a burnt odor
C) Myalgia, fatigue
D) Blurred vision, headaches

Question 6

When reviewing patients' histories, the nurse recognizes that which patient would be a likely candidate for drug therapy for cholesterol reduction?

A) A patient who has coronary heart disease and an LDL level of 100 mg/dL
B) A patient who has one risk factor, an LDL level of 170 mg/dL, and no history of coronary heart disease
C) A patient who has coronary heart disease and an LDL level of 165 mg/dL
D) A patient who has two risk factors and a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level of 100 mg/dL, without coronary heart disease

Question 7

Which of these characteristics are considered to be risk factors for coronary heart disease? (Select all that apply.)

A) Being male, 45 years of age or older
B) Being female, 45 years of age or older
C) Having a family history that includes a mother who died of a myocardial infarction at 71 years of age
D) Having a high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level of 65 mg/dL
E) Having an HDL level of 30 mg/dL
F) Having a history of diabetes mellitus

Question 8

A patient is concerned about the adverse effects of the fibric acid derivative she is taking to lower her cholesterol level. Which is an adverse effect of this class of medication?

A) Constipation
B) Diarrhea
C) Joint pain
D) Dry mouth

Question 9

While a patient is receiving antilipemic therapy, the nurse knows to monitor the patient closely for the development of which problem?

A) Neutropenia
B) Pulmonary problems
C) Vitamin C deficiency
D) Liver dysfunction

Question 10

The nurse will monitor for myopathy (muscle pain) when a patient is taking which class of antilipemic drugs?

A) Niacin
B) HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors
C) Fibric acid derivatives
D) Bile acid sequestrants

Question 11

A patient with risk factors for coronary artery disease asks the nurse about the "good cholesterol" laboratory values. The nurse knows that "good cholesterol" refers to which lipids?

A) Triglycerides
B) Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs)
C) Very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs)
D) High-density lipoproteins (HDLs)

Question 12

When teaching a patient who is beginning antilipemic therapy about possible drug-food interactions, the nurse will discuss which food?

A) Oatmeal
B) Grapefruit juice
C) Licorice
D) Dairy products

Question 13

Antilipemic drug therapy is prescribed for a patient, and the nurse is providing instructions to the patient about the medication. Which instructions will the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)

A) Limit fluid intake to prevent fluid overload.
B) Eat extra servings of raw vegetables and fruit.
C) Report abnormal or unusual bleeding or yellow discoloration of the skin.
D) Report the occurrence of muscle pain immediately.
E) Drug interactions are rare with antilipemics.
F) Take the drug 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals to maximize absorption.

Question 14

The nurse is conducting a class about antilipemic drugs. The antilipemic drug ezetimibe ( Zetia ) works by which mechanism?

A) Inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase
B) Preventing resorption of bile acids from the small intestines
C) Activating lipase, which breaks down cholesterol
D) Inhibiting cholesterol absorption in the small intestine

Question 15

A patient calls the clinic office saying that the cholestyramine (Questran) powder he started yesterday clumps and sticks to the glass when he tries to mix it. The nurse will suggest what method for mixing this medication for administration?

A) Mix the powder in a carbonated soda drink to dissolve it faster.
B) Add the powder to any liquid, and stir vigorously to dissolve it quickly.
C) Mix the powder with food or fruit, or at least 4 to 6 ounces of fluid.
D) Sprinkle the powder into a spoon and take it dry, followed by a glass of water.