A patient has been taking atorvastatin (Lipitor) for several months to treat hyperlipidemia. The patient reports severe muscle weakness and tenderness. The nurse will counsel the patient to do which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Severe muscle weakness and tenderness can be symptoms of rhabdomyolysis, a serious condition in which muscles break down and release their contents into the bloodstream. This can be a rare but serious side effect of atorvastatin. The nurse should counsel the patient to contact the provider to report these symptoms and potentially switch to a different medication or adjust the dose. Starting ibuprofen or stopping the medication without consulting the provider could be dangerous and potentially worsen the symptoms.

A Patient Has Been Taking Atorvastatin (Lipitor) for Several Months