A patient taking stavudine (Zerit) telephones the clinic and reports numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. What should the nurse tell the patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient has early signs and symptoms of neuropathy, which may resolve if the drug is stopped. The patient should be taught early in treatment to report these symptoms immediately. Numbness is not an expected side effect. The patient should never be advised to cut the dose in half unless instructed to do so by a prescriber. Taking the medication on a full stomach will not affect the amount of medication absorbed.

A Patient Taking Stavudine (Zerit) Telephones the Clinic and Reports