Pharm Ch. 23

A patient has begun taking dimethyl fumarate [Tecfidera] to treat relapsing MS and calls the clinic to report flushing of the skin with itching and burning sensations. What will the nurse recommend to this patient?

"Take a non-enteric-coated aspirin 30 minutes before each dose."

A patient with multiple sclerosis is to begin treatment with interferon beta. The patient comes to the clinic to have pretreatment laboratory tests. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching about these tests?

"After the first year of treatment, I will need once yearly blood work."

A nurse provides teaching for a 25-year-old patient who will receive mitoxantrone [Novantrone] for worsening relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?

"I will need an infusion of this medication once weekly."

A patient has been newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), and the nurse provides teaching about the medications for the disease. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?

"If medication is begun early, permanent remission can be achieved."

A patient is being treated with interferon beta-1a [Avonex] for relapsing-remitting MS. The patient calls the clinic to report headache, fever, chills, and muscle aches after administering a dose. What will the nurse recommend?

Acetaminophen or ibuprofen

A patient who stopped taking teriflunomide [Aubagio] 1 year prior tells the nurse that she has just found out she is pregnant. Which action by the nurse is correct?

Contact the provider to obtain an order for serum drug levels.

A patient who has recently begun taking interferon beta reports feeling depressed. Which action by the nurse is correct?

Notify the provider of these symptoms.

A patient is about to begin therapy with fingolimod [Gilenya] to treat multiple sclerosis. The nurse learns that the patient has not had chickenpox or the varicella zoster virus (VZV) vaccine. What will the nurse do?

Obtain an order for a VZV antibody test.

A patient has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) for 10 years and has a history of 3 periods of neurologic dysfunction lasting several weeks separated by long periods of full recovery. In the past 6 months, the patient has had a prolonged period of neurologic dysfunction without remission. The nurse understands that the patient may have which MS subtype?

Secondary progressive MS

A patient has received an initial dose of glatiramer acetate [Copaxone] for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. The nurse notes that the patient appears flushed and anxious and has urticaria. The patient reports palpitations, chest pain, and a feeling of laryngeal constriction. What will the nurse do?

Stay with the patient until this self-limiting episode passes.

A patient administers interferon beta-1a SQ [Rebif] 22 mcg/0.5 mL three times each week. The patient calls the nurse to report unrelieved itching and erythema at the injection site, despite the use of topical hydrocortisone for several weeks. What will the nurse tell this patient to do?

Take oral diphenhydramine [Benadryl].

A patient has been diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis for 1 year and reports a recent brief period of being symptom free. The nurse will tell the patient that this indicates what?

Temporary improvement