Deck 22: Drugs Used to Treat Dyslipidemias

Question 1

The nurse is preparing medications for a patient. When is the best time for the nurse to administer lovastatin (Mevacor)?

A) 2 hours after breakfast
B) During the patient's dinner
C) 1 hour before breakfast
D) 30 minutes before lunch

Answer 1

During the patient's dinner

Question 2

The nurse is educating a patient about niacin prescribed to treat his hyperlipidemia. Which are the important teaching points to include in the educational plan? (Select all that apply.)

A) Effectiveness of niacin in lowering total cholesterol
B) Information on high-cholesterol foods and food preparation using unsaturated fats
C) Importance of smoking cessation and daily exercise
D) Alternate funding resource information because of the high cost of niacin
E) Adverse effects to report (e.g., fatigue, anorexia, nausea, malaise, jaundice, muscle aches)

Answer 2

Effectiveness of niacin in lowering total cholesterol
Information on high-cholesterol foods and food preparation using unsaturated fats
Adverse effects to report (e.g., fatigue, anorexia, nausea, malaise, jaundice, muscle aches)

Question 3

The nurse is teaching a patient about statin therapy. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?

A) "I will take this medication at night."
B) "This medication will reduce blood clot formation."
C) "I will avoid drinking grapefruit juice."
D) "If I get a headache, I will notify my health care provider."

Answer 3

"If I get a headache, I will notify my health care provider."

Question 4

The nurse is providing education to a patient who has recently been prescribed niacin. Which information given by the nurse is accurate?

A) "Weigh yourself weekly due to risk of fluid retention."
B) "Nausea can be decreased if you take this medication with food."
C) "Because your blood pressure may increase while taking this drug, have it checked monthly."
D) "You should not take aspirin while on this medication."

Question 5

A teaching plan for a patient with hyperlipidemia would instruct the patient to avoid which foods? (Select all that apply.)

A) Cashews
B) Egg whites
C) Unsaturated vegetable oils
D) Green vegetables
E) Liver

Question 6

The nurse has completed an admitting patient history and notes the patient's current medications to be simvastatin (Zocor) and warfarin (Coumadin). What is the result of the interaction of these drugs?

A) Abdominal distention
B) Increased INR
C) Low serum level of simvastatin
D) Hypertension

Question 7

Why are statins, or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, administered at bedtime?

A) The stomach is empty.
B) Metabolic needs of the body are decreased.
C) Cholesterol production is at its peak.
D) The body temperature is increased.

Question 8

Which lipoprotein contributes to the development of atherosclerosis?

A) Chylomicrons
B) VLDL
C) LDL-C
D) HDL-C

Question 9

A patient is prescribed a bile acid resin. The nurse instructs the patient to report which adverse reaction related to vitamin K deficiency?

A) Constipation
B) Coffee ground emesis
C) Nausea
D) Changes in skin pigmentation

Question 10

In addition to controlling hyperlipidemia, what are bile acid-binding resins prescribed to treat?

A) Constipation secondary to excess fecal bile acids
B) Constipation related to pseudomembranous colitis
C) Pruritus secondary to biliary stasis
D) Jaundice related to cholelithiasis

Question 11

What is the desired effect of any antilipemic therapy?

A) Reduced LDLs and total cholesterol levels
B) Reduced HDLs and total cholesterol levels
C) Reduced LDLs and HDLs
D) Reduced HDLs and dietary cholesterol levels

Question 12

Which deficiency may develop in patients taking cholestyramine?

A) Potassium deficiency
B) Sodium deficiency
C) Vitamin K deficiency
D) Hydrochloric acid deficiency

Question 13

Which antilipemic agent is most potent?

A) Niacin
B) HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor
C) Bile acid-binding resin
D) Fibric acid

Question 14

The nurse is assessing a patient who is being evaluated for hyperlipidemia. Which assessment will most increase the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD)?

A) Blood pressure, 168/90 mm Hg
B) Hemoglobin A_1c, 6%
C) Walks 3 miles briskly, usually 4 days a week
D) Eats five servings of fruits and vegetables daily

Question 15

Which nutritional concepts are necessary to provide to patients receiving colestipol? (Select all that apply.)

A) Take on an empty stomach to enhance absorption.
B) Whole grains, raw fruits, and vegetables will minimize constipation.
C) Drink 8 to 10 8-ounce glasses of water daily to eliminate dehydration that is secondary to frequent loose stools.
D) Report signs of vitamin K deficiency, including bleeding gums, dark tarry stools, and coffee ground emesis.
E) Supplemental fat-soluble vitamins may be necessary.

Question 16

What will the nurse review when teaching a patient about therapy with statins? (Select all that apply.)

A) Statins are the most potent antilipemic agents available.
B) Statins should be taken with food.
C) Statins replace dietary therapy for the control of hyperlipidemia.
D) Statins cause mild increases in HDL levels.
E) Statins are administered in the morning when cholesterol production is high.
F) Statins reduce inflammation, platelet aggregation, and plasma viscosity.

Question 17

Which vitamin has antilipemic actions?

A) C
B) A
C) D
D) B₃