A patient from Africa is being treated for East African ...

[Frost2351]

A patient from Africa is being treated for East African trypanosomiasis. The nurse is preparing to administer a first dose of suramin sodium (Germanin). To prevent serious side effects, which action will the nurse take?
 
  a. Administer a small test dose before giving the drug.
  b. Ask the patient to lie flat while the drug is given.
  c. Give a high-fat snack with the drug to minimize gastric upset.
  d. Suggest to the provider that liver function tests (LFTs) be performed.

Question 2

A patient taking metronidazole (Flagyl) for asymptomatic intestinal amebiasis complains of tingling and numbness of the hands and feet. What action by the nurse is most appropriate?
 
  a. Encourage the patient to exercise to improve circulation.
  b. Inform the patient that numbness is a common and reversible side effect.
  c. Stress the need to avoid constrictive clothing and crossing the legs.
  d. Withhold the drug and notify the prescriber.

[lcapri7]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Suramin sodium can cause severe side effects, including a shock-like syndrome with IV dosing. A small test dose should be given initially to make sure this is not likely. Patients receiving pentamidine should be supine while receiving that drug. It is not necessary to provide a fatty snack with suramin or to obtain LFTs before administration.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
The nurse should withhold the drug and notify the prescriber, because these symptoms may indicate neurologic involvement. Numbness is not a common side effect of metronidazole. Encouraging the patient to move the hands and feet frequently to improve circulation would not address the neurologic symptoms. Advising the patient to avoid constrictive clothing and crossing the legs would not address the neurologic symptoms.

[Frost2351]

Gracias!

[Jsherida]

TYSM