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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Give the medication: Administering expired medication poses potential risks to the client's safety and efficacy of treatment. Therefore, giving the medication is not appropriate.
B. Discard the medication: Expired medications may have decreased potency or even become harmful due to chemical changes over time. It is essential to discard expired medications to ensure client safety and maintain the effectiveness of treatment.
C. Notify the provider: While it's important to communicate issues related to medication administration to the healthcare provider, in this case, the expired medication should not be used regardless of provider notification.
D. Return the medication to the pharmacy: Returning expired medication to the pharmacy might be appropriate in some settings, but it is not the primary action to take in this situation. The priority is to ensure the client does not receive expired medication.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Lithium is a mood stabilizer commonly prescribed for bipolar disorder, but it has a narrow therapeutic index, meaning the difference between a therapeutic dose and a toxic dose is small. Therefore, it's crucial for the client to recognize the signs of lithium toxicity. Here's the rationale for each option:
A. "Vomiting is an indication of toxicity.": This statement is correct. Vomiting is one of the early signs of lithium toxicity and should be reported to the healthcare provider immediately.
B. "I will report any loss of appetite.": While loss of appetite can be a symptom of lithium toxicity, it is not one of the most common or specific signs. Other symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and confusion, are more indicative of lithium toxicity.
C. "I will call my provider if I experience any headaches.": Headaches are not typically associated with lithium toxicity. Symptoms such as severe diarrhea, tremors, confusion, and decreased coordination are more indicative of lithium toxicity.
D. "Increased flatulence is an indication of toxicity.": Increased flatulence is not a typical manifestation of lithium toxicity. Symptoms such as gastrointestinal upset, tremors, confusion, and changes in coordination are more common signs of toxicity.
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