A nurse is teaching a patient about a medication that alters sympathetic nervous system functions. To evaluate understanding, the nurse asks the patient to describe which functions the sympathetic nervous system regulates. Which answer indicates the need for further teaching?

Choice A Reason:

Inducer medications do not increase the blood level of newly added medications. Instead, they enhance the activity of enzymes that metabolize drugs, leading to a faster breakdown and lower concentration of the new medication in the bloodstream. This can result in reduced efficacy of the newly added medication.

Choice B Reason:

Inducer medications increase the activity of enzymes, particularly those in the cytochrome P450 family, which are responsible for drug metabolism. This increased enzyme activity accelerates the breakdown of the newly added medication, thereby decreasing its blood level and potentially reducing its therapeutic effect. For example, rifampin is a well-known inducer that can significantly lower the levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.

Choice C Reason:

Inducer medications do not increase the half-life of newly added medications. On the contrary, by enhancing the metabolic activity of enzymes, they typically reduce the half-life of the new medication. This means the drug is broken down and eliminated from the body more quickly.

Choice D Reason:

Inducer medications do have a significant effect on new medications. They alter the metabolism of drugs by increasing the activity of metabolic enzymes, which can lead to decreased blood levels and reduced effectiveness of the new medication. Ignoring this interaction can result in subtherapeutic drug levels and treatment failure.

Choice A Reason:

Tertiary prevention involves measures taken to reduce the impact of an ongoing illness or injury that has lasting effects. This includes rehabilitation and efforts to prevent further complications or deterioration. Vaccination, however, is aimed at preventing the disease before it occurs, which does not align with the concept of tertiary prevention.

Choice B Reason:

Primary prevention refers to actions taken to prevent the onset of disease before it occurs. Vaccination is a classic example of primary prevention because it aims to protect individuals from contracting diseases by stimulating the immune system to recognize and fight specific pathogens. In this case, the meningococcal vaccine helps prevent meningitis, making it a primary preventive measure.

Choice C Reason:

Disease treatment involves managing and caring for a patient to combat a disease or condition. This includes interventions aimed at curing the disease, alleviating symptoms, or preventing complications. Vaccination does not fall under disease treatment because it is a preventive measure rather than a therapeutic one

Choice D Reason:

Secondary prevention focuses on early detection and prompt intervention to prevent the progression of a disease. This includes screening tests and early treatment of conditions to halt or slow their progression. Vaccination, however, is intended to prevent the disease from occurring in the first place, which is not the goal of secondary prevention.