Which administration strategy can a patient implement to reduce flushing, the most common adverse effect of niacin therapy?
Take before starting daily activities.
Take with a sedative.
Take with grapefruit juice.
Take with an NSAID such as ibuprofen.
The Correct Answer is D
Taking niacin with an NSAID such as ibuprofen can reduce flushing, the most common adverse effect of niacin therapy. Flushing is a side effect of taking large doses of niacin (vitamin B3) supplements. It happens when the niacin causes the small blood vessels in your skin to dilate so more blood can rush through. Flushing can cause skin redness, warmth, itching, tingling, or burning sensations.
Choice A is wrong because taking niacin before starting daily activities can increase the risk of flushing and interfere with your routine. Flushing usually occurs within 15 to 30 minutes of taking niacin and lasts for about an hour.
Choice B is wrong because taking niacin with a sedative can increase the risk of liver damage, especially if the sedative is acetaminophen (Tylenol). Niacin can also cause liver problems at high doses, so combining it with another liver-toxic drug is not advisable.
Choice C is wrong because taking niacin with grapefruit juice can increase the risk of side effects, such as low blood pressure, dizziness, or fainting. Grapefruit juice can interfere with the metabolism of some drugs, including niacin, and make them more potent or toxic.
Normal ranges for niacin intake vary depending on age and gender. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for adult males is 16 mg per day and for adult females is 14 mg per day. Higher doses of niacin may be prescribed by a doctor to treat high cholesterol or other conditions, but they should be taken under medical supervision and with caution.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that increases the force of heart contractions (positive inotropy) and decreases the heart rate (negative chronotropy) by inhibiting the sodium-potassium ATPase pump in the cardiac cell membranes and affecting the autonomic tone.This helps to improve the symptoms of heart failure and to control the ventricular rate in atrial fibrillation.
Choice A is wrong because positive chronotropy means increasing the heart rate, which is the opposite of what digoxin does.
Choice B is wrong because negative inotropy means decreasing the force of heart contractions, which is also the opposite of what digoxin does.
Choice D is wrong because positive inotropy and positive chronotropy would both increase the workload of the heart, which is not desirable in heart failure or atrial fibrillation.
Normal ranges for digoxin are 0.5 to 2 ng/mL for heart failure and 0.8 to 2 ng/mL for atrial fibrillation.Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic window and can cause serious side effects if overdosed or underdosed.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Furosemide is a diuretic that lowers blood pressure and increases urine output. It also causes potassium loss, which can lead to hypokalemia (low potassium levels). The patient’s blood pressure is already low when sitting, and the serum potassium is below the normal range of 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L. Administering furosemide could worsen these conditions and cause adverse effects such as dehydration, dizziness, muscle weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, and renal impairment. Therefore, the nurse should contact the provider before giving the medication and report the vital signs and laboratory results.
Choice A. Administer medication is wrong because it could harm the patient as explained above.
Choice C. Hold medication until next dose is wrong because it does not address the underlying problem of fluid retention and hypokalemia.
The nurse should not delay notifying the provider about the patient’s condition.
Choice D. Check urine output before giving medication is wrong because it is not enough to ensure the patient’s safety.
The nurse should also check the blood pressure and serum potassium levels, which are more critical indicators of the patient’s status.
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