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 B
Explanation
A. "Gradually decrease the dose once tolerance to the effect is reached." - Gradually decreasing the dose may help mitigate daytime sedation, but it's not the most appropriate initial response. Additionally, it should be done under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
B. "Take most of the daily dose at bedtime." - This response is appropriate because diphenhydramine commonly causes drowsiness, and taking most of the dose at bedtime can help minimize daytime sedation.
C. "Take the medication with meals." - Taking diphenhydramine with meals may reduce the risk of gastrointestinal upset but is unlikely to significantly decrease daytime sedation.
D. "Distribute the doses evenly throughout the day." - This approach may not effectively minimize daytime sedation because diphenhydramine's sedative effects are prolonged and may persist throughout the day if taken at regular intervals. Taking most of the dose at bedtime is a more practical strategy.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
D. Wernicke-Korsakoff psychosis is a neurological disorder caused by thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, often resulting from chronic alcohol use disorder. Thiamine deficiency can lead to significant neurological impairments, including confusion, ataxia, and memory deficits characteristic of Wernicke's encephalopathy and Korsakoff's psychosis.
The primary intervention for Wernicke-Korsakoff psychosis is the administration of thiamine supplementation. Thiamine replacement therapy is essential to prevent further neurological deterioration and to potentially reverse some of the cognitive deficits associated with the disorder.
The other options are not directly related to Wernicke-Korsakoff psychosis:
A. Monitoring for the presence of esophageal varices is more relevant to complications of chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis, commonly seen in individuals with alcohol use disorder, but not specific to Wernicke-Korsakoff psychosis.
B. Placing the client in protective isolation is not indicated for Wernicke-Korsakoff psychosis. Protective isolation is typically used for clients with compromised immune systems to reduce the risk of infection.
C. Laboratory analysis of cardiac enzymes is typically performed to assess for myocardial injury or infarction, which is not directly associated with Wernicke-Korsakoff psychosis.
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