Drugs to Manage Cholesterol
The nurse understands that cholesterol is carried through the blood by lipoproteins. Which lipoprotein is most closely associated with coronary atherosclerosis?
low-density lipoprotein (HDL)
A patient is taking pravastatin sodium [Pravachol]. Which assessment finding requires immediate action by the nurse?
muscle pain
A patient with Cardiovascular disease is taking rosuvastatin [crestor]. Which finding will indicate adverse effects?
muscle pain and tenderness
The nurse is caring for a patient who has hypercholesterolemia and newly prescribed atorvastatin [Lipitor]. Which instruction will the nurse receive from the primary healthcare provider for the safe administration of the medication?
"Administer 10 mg of atorvastatin [Lipitor] orally."
The nurse is caring for a patient with hypercholesterolemia who is taking 20 mg of simvastatin [Zocor] as prescribed. After a few days, the patient's urinalysis reports indicated the presence of myoglobin. What instruction would the nurse receive from the primary healthcare provider?
"Discontinue administering the medication"
The healthcare provider prescribes lovastatin [Mevacor] for a patient discharged from the hospital post-myocardial infarction. Which instructions are most appropriate for the nurse to include in the patient's teaching plan? Select all that apply.
"Do not start any new medications without first talking to your healthcare provider." "Before starting this medication a blood test will be done to check your total cholesterol level and to measure liver enzymes." "Lower the total fat and saturated fat in your diet by increasing your intake of fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains."
Which statement made by the patient indicates to the nurse that understanding of the discharge instructions on antihyperlipidemic medications has occurred?
"I will continue to modify my diet and keep exercise to help my high density lipoprotein serum levels"
Which statement indicates the patient understands discharge instructions regarding cholestyramine [Questran]?
"I will take Question 1 hour before my other medications"
The nurse is teaching a group of nursing students about statin drugs and asks about the mechanism of action of lovastatin [Mevacor]. Which response from the students indicates understanding?
"It inhibits HMG-CoA reductase to reduce the biosynthesis of cholesterol"
Which discharge instructions should the nurse include for a patient prescribed cholestyramine?
"Mix the drug with water or juice"
When teaching the nursing student about coronary heart disease, which statement will the nurse include in the session?
"coronary heart disease occurs due to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques"
The nurse is assessing a patient with diabetes who has hyperlipidemia. The patient asks the nurse to suggest either an herbal medication or a dietary modification to reduce cholesterol levels. Which suggestion given by the nurse would be most beneficial to the patient?
"eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids"
The nurse is teaching a group of patients about dietary approached to reduce cholesterol levels. Which is most important to include?
"read food labels and reduce the intake of saturated fats" my professor says that the fats may not be the whole problem and it's probably sugars but sugar companies paid for research on how bad fats are so we ignore sugar idk, keep it in mind though
A patient receiving atorvastatin [Lipitor] therapy to reduce high cholesterol levels calls the clinic and reports, "I am experiencing severe pain in both my legs." What is the nurse's best response?
"stop taking the drug and visit the clinic immediately"
The nurse is assessing a patient who has been prescribed atorvastatin [Lipitor]. What instruction should the nurse provide for the patient to ensure proper administration of the medication?
"take the drug in the evening"
A patient is prescribed a therapeutic lifestyle change (TLC) diet. The patient understands the diet when he states which of the following?
"the TLC diet was prescribed to help me reduce my LDL cholesterol and maintain a healthy weight"
The nurse is caring for a patient prescribed gemfibrozil [Lopid]. For which patient should the nurse question the use of this drug?
A patient with history of gallstones
A patient with an elevated triglyceride level is prescribed a sustained-release form of nicotinic acid [Slo-Niacin]. Which laboratory value is most important for the nurse to monitor in this patient?
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
A patient with hyperlipidemia is treated with atorvastatin [Lipitor]. On the follow-up visit, the nurse discovers that the patient has had no improvement in cholesterol levels. What could be the reason for this?
At the patient is taking the medication of the morning
Which drug is the most effective for lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol?
Atorvastatin [lipitor]
On assessment of a patient with hyperlipidemia, the nurse learns that the patient has recently undergone liver transplantation. Which antihyperlipidemic drug does the nurse expect to be excluded from the patient's prescription?
Atrovastatin [lipitor]
The nurse is caring for a patient who has undergone kidney transplantation. The patient's laboratory reports show hyperlipidemia. Which antihyperlipidemic drug would be most beneficial for the patient?
Colesnvelam [Welchol]
The nurse is caring for a patient who takes multiple cholesterol-lowering drugs. Which drug is least likely to cause systemic side effects?
Colesnvelam [Welchol]
The nurse provides teaching to a patient who will take atorvastatin [Lipitor] at home. Which patient teaching is most likely to help maintain the anti-lipemic medication dosage at the lowest level possible?
Engage in moderate exercise
Which anti-lipemic medication reduces serum cholesterol by inhibiting its absorption in the small intestine?
Ezetimibe [zetia]
A patient diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia is prescribed lovastatin [Mevacor]. Based on this medication order, the nurse will contact the healthcare provider about which reported condition in the patient's history?
Hepatic disease
A patient with hyperlipidemia has been prescribed simvastatin [Zocor]. While caring for the patient, the nurse unknowingly administers niacin [Nicobid] along with simvastatin [Zocor]. Which complication may the patient have due to the drugs' interaction?
Myopathy
A patient comes to the clinic and is diagnosed with gouty arthritis. When the nurse looks over the patient's medication list, what medication could have caused this adverse effect?
Niacin (nicotinic acid)
A patient with dyslipidemia has been prescribed atorvastatin [Lipitor]. After a few days, the patient reports to the nurse that her pregnancy test is positive and that she has severe constipation. What medication does the nurse expect the provider to order for the patient?
Niacin (nicotinic acid)
The nurse is assessing a patient who has been prescribed cholestyramine [Questran]. The nurse finds that the patient has decreased peristalsis and bloating. Which intervention should the nurse perform to relieve the symptoms? Select all that apply.
Provide a diet rich in fiber increase the intake of fluid
Which nursing intervention will decrease the flushing reaction of niacin?
administering spring 30 minutes before niacin
A patient is prescribed Lovaza and simvastatin for hyperlipidemia. The nurse is looking at the patient's medication history and expresses concern over which medication?
aspirin
How does simvastatin [Zocor] exert its action?
by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase
Which drug is approved for hyperlipidemia and to help control hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes?
colesnvelam [welchol]
Which assessment finding in a patient taking an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor will the nurse act on immediately?
elevated liver function tests
The nurse is caring for a patient who has coronary heart disease (CHD). The nurse tells the patient, "Your cholesterol levels are abnormal; you are at a high risk of having a heart attack." What did the nurse discover regarding the lipoprotein levels in the patient's blood report?
high levels of low density lipoproteins (LDL)
When will the nurse administer hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins)?
in the evening
What is the mechanism of action of ezetimibe [zetia]?
inhibits the absorption of dietary and biliary cholesterol in the small intestine
The nurse is teaching a medication regimen to a patient with type II hyperlipoproteinemia and prescribed cholestyramine [Questran]. What will the nurse inform the patient during the teaching?
take other medications 1 hour before or 4 hours after the administration of cholestyramie
The nurse is caring for a patient who has hyperlipidemia and who has been prescribed gemfibrozil [Lopid]. On reviewing the medical history of the patient, the nurse learns that the patient is taking warfarin [Coumadin]. What does the nurse anticipate after reviewing the patient's medical history?
the patient has an increased risk of bleeding
A patient with congestive heart failure has a serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level of 140 mg/dL. The healthcare provider prescribes extended-release niacin [Nicobid] tablets to the patient. During the follow-up visit, the serum cholesterol concentration is found to be 120 mg/dL. What changes will the nurse expect in the patient's prescription?
the same does of niacin [nicobid] will be continued
Laboratory reports indicate that a patient's serum cholesterol concentration is 250 mg/dL and triglyceride levels are 450 mg/dL. The health care provider prescribes gemifibrofil [Lopid] to lower cholesterol levels. What is the desired effect of the drug on the patients lipoprotein levels?
there would be a decrease in low-density lipoprotein
