Fosamax

When administering alendronate (Fosamax) to a patient, the nurse will first a.administer the ordered calcium carbonate. b.be sure the patient has recently eaten. c.assist the patient to sit up at the bedside. d.ask about any leg cramps or hot flashes.

Answer: C. assist the patient to sit up at the bedside. Rationale: To avoid esophageal erosions, the patient taking bisphosphonates should be upright for at least 30 minutes after taking the medication. Fosamax should be taken on an empty stomach, not after taking other medications or eating. Leg cramps and hot flashes are not side effects of bisphosphonates.

A patient is prescribed Alendronate (Fosamax) at 0800 for the treatment of osteoporosis. As the nurse you know you must administer this medication: A. on an empty stomach with a full glass of water and keep the patient upright for 30 minutes. B. right after breakfast and to lay the patient flat (as tolerated) for 30 minutes. C. with food but to avoid giving this medication with dairy products. D. on an empty stomach with a full glass of juice or milk.

A. on an empty stomach with a full glass of water and keep the patient upright for 30 minutes. Alendronate (Fosamax) is a bisphosphonate which is known for causing GI upset, especially inflammation of the esophagus. These medications should be taken with a full glass of water in morning on empty stomach with NO other medication. The patient should sit up for 30 minutes (60 minutes with Boniva) after taking the medication, and not eat anything for 1 hour after taking (helps the body absorb more of the medicine.)

The nurse is caring for a client with osteoporosis. The client has a new prescription for alendronate (Fosamax). Which instruction should be given to the client? A. Rest in bed after taking the medication for at least 30 minutes B. Avoid rapid movements after taking the medication C. Take the medication with water only D. Allow at least 1 hour between taking the medicine and taking other medications

C. Take the medication with water only Alendronate (Fosamax) should be taken with water only. The client should also remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking the medication. Answers A, B, and D are not applicable to taking Fosamax and, thus, are incorrect.

A client is starting on alendronate (Fosamax) for prevention of osteoporosis. What precaution will the nurse include in the clients health teaching about this drug? A. "Take food or milk to prevent stomach upset." B. "Monitor the drug injection site for redness or itching." C. "Take the drug at night before you go to bed." D. "Do not lie down for at least 30 minutes after the drug."

D. "Do not lie down for at least 30 minutes after the drug."

Which statement by the patient indicates an understanding of discharge teaching for the medication alendronate (Fosamax)? A. "I need to decrease my intake of dairy products to prevent hypercalcemia." B. "This medication will help relieve the bone pain I have from my osteoporosis." C. "I need to take this medication with food to prevent damage to my esophagus caused by reflux of stomach acid." D. "I will take the medication in the morning before I eat with 8 oz of water and remain upright for 30 minutes."

D. "I will take the medication in the morning before I eat with 8 oz of water and remain upright for 30 minutes."

The nurse is providing education to a client who has been prescribed alendronate sodium​ (Fosamax) for the treatment of osteoporosis. Which adverse effect will the nurse educate the client to expect while taking this​ medication? a. Constipation b. Hot flashes c. Dyspepsia d. Sinusitis

c. Dyspepsia

The patient who is taking alendronate (Fosamax) is at high risk for developing which disorder? A. Cardiovascular disease B. Breast cancer C. Inflammation of the esophagus D. Stroke

Answer: C Inflammation of the esophagus Rationale: Esophagitis and esophageal ulcers have been reported with use of all of the bisphosphonates. The other answer selections apply to hormone replacement therapy.

The nurse is caring for a patient with osteoporosis who is being discharged on alendronate (Fosamax). Which statement would indicate effective teaching? A. "I should take the medication immediately before bed" B. "I should remain in an upright position for 30 minutes after taking the medication" C. "The medication is more effective if I take it with milk or dairy products" D. If I skip a dose, I can take two tablets the next time"

B. "I should remain in an upright position for 30 minutes after taking the medication"

Alendronate (Fosamax) is ordered for a patient with osteoporosis. Which information should the nurse teach the patient about the medication? A. Acts as a selective estrogen receptor modulator B. Reduces risk of invasive breast cancer C. May be obtained as a nasal spray D. Inhibits bone resorption

D. Inhibits bone resorption Alendronate (Fosamax), a bisphosphonate, is a potent inhibitor of bone resorption that preserves bone mass and increases bone density. Raloxifene (Evista) is an example of a selective estrogen receptor modulator that is used to treat osteoporosis, and which also reduces the risk of invasive breast cancer. Calcitonin (Miacalcin) is dispensed as a nasal spray.

Which patient should NOT be prescribed alendronate (Fosamax) for osteoporosis? a-A female patient being treated for high blood pressure with an ACE inhibitor. b-A patient who is allergic to iodine/shellfish. c-A patient on a calorie restricted diet. d-A patient on bed rest who must maintain a supine position

D: A patient on bed rest who must maintain a supine position Alendronate can cause significant gastrointestinal side effects, such as esophageal irritation, so it should not be taken if a patient must stay in supine position. A&B: ACE inhibitors are not contraindicated with alendronate and there is no iodine allergy relationship. C: The patient should not eat or drink for 30 minutes after administration and should not lie down.

The nurse is caring for a client with a hip fracture who is being discharged with a prescription for alendronate (Fosamax). Which statement would indicate a need for further teaching? A. "I should take the medication immediately before bedtime." B. "I should remain in an upright position for 30 minutes after taking the medication." C. "The medication should be taken by mouth with water." D. "I should not have any food intake with this medication."

a. "I should take the medication immediately before bedtime." alendronate (Fosamax) should be taken in the mornings before food and other medications with water only

A patient started Alendronate (Fosamax) once a week for the treatment of osteoporosis. The nurse determines that further instruction about the drug is needed when what is said by the patient? a-"I should take the drug with a meal to prevent stomach irritation". b-"This drug will prevent further bone loss and increase my bone density". c-"I need to sit or stand upright for at least 30 minutes after taking the drug". d-"I will still need to take my calcium supplements while taking this new drug ".

answer: a -"I should take the drug with a meal to prevent stomach irritation". The Bisphosphonate, such as Alendronate, must be taken at least 30 minutes before food or other medications to promote absorption

Alendronate (Fosamax) is prescribed for a patient with osteoporosis. The nurse teaches the patient that a )the drug must be taken with food to prevent GI side effects. b )bisphosphonates prevent calcium from being taken from the bones. c )lying down after taking the drug prevents light-headedness and dizziness. d )taking the drug with milk enhances the absorption of calcium from the bowel.

b )bisphosphonates prevent calcium from being taken from the bones.

Alendronate (Fosamax) is given to a client with osteoporosis. The nurse advises the client to?a-Take the medication in the morning with meals.b-Take the medication 2 hours before bedtime.c-Take the medication with a glass of water after rising in the morning.d-Take the medication during lunch.

C: Alendronate needs to be taken with a glass of water after rising in the morning in order to prevent gastrointestinal effects. A, B, D: Not taking Alendronate on the specified time of the day could cause GI upset.

The nurse sees several clients with osteoporosis. For which client would Fosamax not be a good option? a. Client with diabetes who has a serum creatinine of 0.8 mg/dL b. Client who recently fell and has vertebral compression fractures c. Hypertensive client who takes calcium channel blockers d. Client with a spinal cord injury who cannot tolerate sitting up

d. Client with a spinal cord injury who cannot tolerate sitting up. Clients on bisphosphonates must be able to sit upright for 30 to 60 minutes after taking them. The client who cannot tolerate sitting up is not a good candidate for this class of drug. Poor renal function also makes clients bad candidates for this drug, but the client with a creatinine of 0.8 mg/dL is within normal range. Diabetes and hypertension are not related unless the client also has renal disease. The client who recently fell and sustained fractures is a good candidate for this drug if the fractures are related to osteoporosis.