A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for disulfiram. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?
"Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication."
"Do not crush this medication before swallowing."
"Avoid grapefruit juice while taking this medication."
"Take this medication with food."
The Correct Answer is A
A. "Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication": Disulfiram is a medication used to deter alcohol consumption by producing unpleasant effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and flushing, if alcohol is consumed. Therefore, it is crucial for the client to abstain from alcohol while taking disulfiram to avoid these adverse reactions.
B. "Do not crush this medication before swallowing": While it is generally important not to alter the formulation of medications unless instructed by a healthcare provider or indicated in the medication's instructions, crushing disulfiram is not typically a concern. However, the primary focus of disulfiram therapy is the avoidance of alcohol, rather than specific administration instructions.
C. "Avoid grapefruit juice while taking this medication": Grapefruit juice is known to interact with certain medications by inhibiting cytochrome P450 enzymes in the liver, affecting drug metabolism. However, there is no significant interaction between disulfiram and grapefruit juice. Therefore, this information is not relevant to disulfiram therapy.
D. "Take this medication with food": Disulfiram is typically taken on an empty stomach, as food can interfere with its absorption. Therefore, advising the client to take disulfiram with food is not accurate and may compromise its effectiveness. The primary concern with disulfiram therapy is adherence to abstinence from alcohol.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Bleeding: While haloperidol can cause side effects such as orthostatic hypotension and sedation, it is not typically associated with bleeding as a common adverse effect.
B. Pancreatitis: Pancreatitis is not a common adverse effect of haloperidol. However, it can cause gastrointestinal side effects such as constipation, nausea, and vomiting.
C. Cataracts: Haloperidol is not known to cause cataracts. However, long-term use of antipsychotic medications, including haloperidol, may increase the risk of developing metabolic side effects such as weight gain, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia, which can contribute to conditions like diabetes and potentially increase the risk of cataracts.
D. Dysrhythmias: Haloperidol can prolong the QT interval on an electrocardiogram (ECG), leading to an increased risk of dysrhythmias, including torsades de pointes. This risk is particularly important in clients with preexisting cardiovascular conditions or those taking other medications that can prolong the QT interval. Therefore, nurses should monitor clients receiving haloperidol for signs of dysrhythmias, including palpitations, dizziness, and syncope, and promptly report any abnormalities to the healthcare provider.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Speaking to the provider about adding an MAOI to the current medication regimen: MAOIs (Monoamine oxidase inhibitors) are typically considered as second- or third-line treatments due to their potential for serious side effects and interactions with other medications. It is not the first-line approach to managing depressive symptoms that have not improved with citalopram alone.
B. Telling the client that the provider will need to change citalopram to a different medication: It's premature to switch medications after only two weeks, as antidepressants often take several weeks to exert their full therapeutic effect. It's essential to allow adequate time for the current medication regimen to work before considering a change.
C. Explaining that antidepressants often take several weeks to be fully effective: This is the most appropriate action. It's important for the nurse to educate the client about the delayed onset of action of antidepressants and reassure them that improvement may take time. Adjustments to the dosage or switching to a different medication would typically be considered if there is no improvement after a sufficient trial period.
D. Recommending a sleep study be done on the client: While sleep disturbances are common in depression, recommending a sleep study would be premature at this stage. It's essential to address the underlying depressive symptoms first, as they may contribute to the sleep disturbance.
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