A patient who has been taking flurazepam (Dalmane) for insomnia ...

[kwoodring]

A patient who has been taking flurazepam (Dalmane) for insomnia is now prescribed zolpidem (Ambien) instead. The patient asks the nurse why the prescription was changed. What is the nurse's best response?
 
  a. Zolpidem (Ambien) is a first-line drug for the treatment of insomnia.
  b. Flurazepam (Dalmane) is a benzodiazepine drug that can be habit-forming.
  c. Zolpidem (Ambien) is also used to treat any anxiety or stress that may contribute to your insomnia.
  d. Flurazepam (Dalmane) has both hypnotic and sedative effects that are less effec-tive in the treatment of insomnia.

Question 2

A patient who is prescribed simvastatin (Zocor) asks the nurse why liver function tests must be drawn every 6 months. What is the nurse's best response?
 
  a. They are important because early liver problems do not cause symptoms.
  b. They help your prescriber decide what your dose of simvastatin should be.
  c. They tell your prescriber how well your body is responding to the therapy.
  d. They indicate how much cholesterol is being produced by your liver.

[Jody Vaughn]

Answer to Question 1

B
Flurazepam (Dalmane) is a benzodiazepine with hypnotic and sedative effects, used mostly to treat anxiety or stress. The benzodiazepines are schedule IV drugs, which means that abuse of these drugs or their long-term use may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological de-pendence. These drugs can be habit-forming when used for prolonged periods (2 to 4 weeks) and are no longer first-line drugs for treatment of insomnia. Zolpidem (Ambien) is a benzodiazepine receptor agonist and is less likely to be addictive.

Answer to Question 2

A
Simvastatin is a statin drug. These drugs may cause decreased liver function. Because of this, the prescriber orders liver function tests every 3 to 6 months. The tests are essential and important because early or mild liver problems may not cause symptoms.

[kwoodring]

Both answers were spot on, thank you once again

[Jody Vaughn]

Great! Please up vote