A client with hypertension and benign prostate hyperplasia is prescribed doxazosin (Cardura). Which of the following statements below would the nurse emphasize regarding doxazosin (Cardura)?
"Increase your potassium intake by eating more bananas and apricots."
"Weigh yourself daily, and report any weight loss to your prescriber."
"The impaired taste associated with this medication usually goes away in 2 to 3 weeks."
"Be sure to lie down after taking the first dose, because first-dose hypotension may make you dizzy."
The Correct Answer is D
A) "Increase your potassium intake by eating more bananas and apricots.": Doxazosin is not a potassium-sparing medication, and there is no specific indication for increased potassium intake with this drug. This advice may be misleading, especially since excessive
potassium can pose risks, particularly in certain populations.
B) "Weigh yourself daily, and report any weight loss to your prescriber.": Daily weighing can be important for monitoring fluid retention in some conditions, but weight loss is not a common side effect of doxazosin. Instead, clients should be more concerned about weight gain due to fluid retention or potential side effects from the medication.
C) "The impaired taste associated with this medication usually goes away in 2 to 3 weeks.": Impaired taste is not a well-documented side effect of doxazosin. While some medications may cause changes in taste, this statement is not relevant for doxazosin and does not address the most critical aspects of its administration.
D) "Be sure to lie down after taking the first dose, because first-dose hypotension may make you dizzy.": This statement is accurate and important. Doxazosin can cause first-dose hypotension, leading to dizziness or fainting. Advising the client to lie down after the first dose helps mitigate the risk of hypotensive effects, making this the most appropriate emphasis for the nurse.
Free Nursing Test Bank
- Free Pharmacology Quiz 1
- Free Medical-Surgical Quiz 2
- Free Fundamentals Quiz 3
- Free Maternal-Newborn Quiz 4
- Free Anatomy and Physiology Quiz 5
- Free Obstetrics and Pediatrics Quiz 6
- Free Fluid and Electrolytes Quiz 7
- Free Community Health Quiz 8
- Free Promoting Health across the Lifespan Quiz 9
- Free Multidimensional Care Quiz 10
View Related questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) "This medication decreases chest pain by dissolving blood clots that are occluding the arteries.": This statement is incorrect because nitroglycerin does not dissolve blood clots. Instead, it works by relaxing and dilating blood vessels, which helps improve blood flow to the heart muscle and relieve angina.
B) "Place one tablet under your tongue every 15 minutes and repeat up to 5 times for relief of chest pain.": This is not accurate; while nitroglycerin can be taken sublingually, the typical recommendation is to take one tablet every 5 minutes as needed for chest pain, not every 15 minutes, and not to exceed 3 tablets within 15 minutes.
C) "This medication is the first-line treatment for hypertension.": Although nitroglycerin can lower blood pressure, it is not typically considered a first-line treatment for hypertension. It is primarily used for angina relief rather than as a primary antihypertensive agent.
D) "This medication dilates cardiac blood vessels to deliver more oxygen to the heart.": This statement accurately describes the action of nitroglycerin. By dilating the coronary arteries, nitroglycerin increases blood flow and oxygen delivery to the heart muscle, which helps alleviate angina symptoms. This is a key point to emphasize during patient education.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Gallstones: Gemfibrozil is associated with an increased risk of gallstones. This medication can alter the metabolism of lipids and bile, potentially leading to the formation of gallstones. Clients should be monitored for symptoms such as abdominal pain or discomfort that could indicate gallbladder issues.
B) Decreased PT time: Gemfibrozil does not typically affect prothrombin time (PT). Instead, it may interact with anticoagulants and potentially increase PT time, requiring careful monitoring in patients taking both medications.
C) Hyperkalemia: While hyperkalemia can occur with certain lipid-lowering medications, it is not a common side effect associated with gemfibrozil. This drug primarily affects triglycerides and cholesterol levels without significantly impacting potassium levels.
D) Increased creatinine clearance: Gemfibrozil is not known to increase creatinine clearance; in fact, it can sometimes affect renal function. Monitoring kidney function is important, but increased creatinine clearance is not an expected outcome with this medication.