NUR313 Evolve: AQ 15 - Drugs to Manage Cholesterol and Triglyceride
When teaching the nursing student about coronary heart disease, which statement will the nurse include in the session?
"Coronary heart disease occurs because of the formation of atherosclerotic plaques."
The nurse is caring for a patient with hypercholesterolemia who is taking 20 mg of simvastatin 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 health care provider?
"Discontinue administering the medication."
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."
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 exercising to help increase my high-density lipoprotein serum levels."
Which statement indicates the patient understands discharge instructions regarding cholestyramine?
"I will take cholestyramine with water, fruit juice, or soup."
The nurse is teaching a group of nursing students about statin drugs and asks about the mechanism of action of lovastatin. Which response from the students indicates understanding?
"It inhibits hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase to reduce the biosynthesis of cholesterol in the liver."
The nurse is assessing a patient who has been prescribed atorvastatin. 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 low-density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol and maintain a healthy weight."
Which therapeutic lifestyle changes are shown to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol? Select all that apply.
-Active exercise for 30-60 minutes five days a week. -Reduction of saturated fat intake. -Weight loss with metabolic syndrome.
The nurse is assessing a patient who has been prescribed cholestyramine. 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.
A patient is prescribed omega 3-acid ethyl esters and simvastatin for hyperlipidemia. The nurse is looking at the patient's medication history and expresses concern over which medication?
Aspirin.
Which drug is the most effective for lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol?
Atorvastatin.
How does simvastatin exert its action?
By inhibiting the enzyme hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase.
Which assessment finding in a patient taking a hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor will the nurse act on immediately?
Elevated liver function tests.
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?
Colesevelam.
The nurse is caring for a patient who takes multiple cholesterol-lowering drugs. Which drug is least likely to cause systemic side effects?
Colesevelam.
Which antilipemic medication reduces serum cholesterol by inhibiting its absorption in the small intestine?
Ezetimibe.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has elevated triglyceride levels and is unresponsive to HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. What does the nurse expect the primary health care provider to prescribe to the patient?
Gemfibrozil.
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 (LDLs).
What is the mechanism of action of ezetimibe?
It inhibits absorption of dietary and biliary cholesterol in the small intestine.
A patient is taking pravastatin sodium. Which assessment finding requires immediate action by the nurse?
Muscle pain.
A patient with hyperlipidemia has been prescribed simvastatin. While caring for the patient, the nurse unknowingly administers niacin along with simvastatin. Which complication may the patient have due to the drugs' interaction?
Myopathy.
The nurse is teaching a medication regimen to a patient who has type II hyperlipoproteinemia and who has been prescribed cholestyramine. Of what will the nurse inform the patient during the teaching?
Take other medications 1 hour before or 4 hours after the administration of cholestyramine.
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 gemfibrozil to lower cholesterol levels. What is the desired effect of the drug on the patient's lipoprotein levels?
There would be a decrease in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels.
