The health care provider is considering the use of sumatriptan ...

[Kikoku]

The health care provider is considering the use of sumatriptan (Imitrex) for a 54-year-old male patient with migraine headaches. Which information obtained by the nurse is most important to report to the health care provider?
 
  a. The patient drinks 1 to 2 cups of coffee daily.
  b. The patient had a recent acute myocardial infarction.
  c. The patient has had migraine headaches for 30 years.
  d. The patient has taken topiramate (Topamax) for 2 months.

Question 2

A 40-year-old patient is diagnosed with early Huntington's disease (HD). When teaching the patient, spouse, and children about this disorder, the nurse will provide information about the
 
  a. use of levodopa-carbidopa (Sinemet) to help reduce HD symptoms.
  b. prophylactic antibiotics to decrease the risk for aspiration pneumonia.
  c. option of genetic testing for the patient's children to determine their own HD risks.
  d. lifestyle changes of improved nutrition and exercise that delay disease progression.

[ebonylittles]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
The triptans cause coronary artery vasoconstriction and should be avoided in patients with coronary artery disease. The other information will be reported to the health care provider, but none of it indicates that sumatriptan would be an inappropriate treatment.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Genetic testing is available to determine whether an asymptomatic individual has the HD gene. The patient and family should be informed of the benefits and problems associated with genetic testing. Sinemet will increase symptoms of HD because HD involves an increase in dopamine. Antibiotic therapy will not reduce the risk for aspiration. There are no effective treatments or lifestyle changes that delay the progression of symptoms in HD.

[Kikoku]

TYSM

[jojobee318]

Excellent