The nurse is caring for a patient who has celiac disease with ...

[bcretired]

The nurse is caring for a patient who has celiac disease with malabsorption. The nurse should monitor for which sign of possible vitamin deficiency?
 
  a. Bleeding
  b. Sore tongue
  c. Hypercalcemia
  d. Hypokalemia

Question 2

A patient has used Cafergot (ergotamine tartrate and caffeine) for frequent migraine headaches over the past 6 months. The patient calls to report, My fingers have been getting cold and numb recently.
 
  The nurse should give which instruction to the patient? a. Decrease the dosage interval to increase the serum concentration of ergotamine.
  b. Discontinue the ergotamine and take acetaminophen as a substitute.
  c. Take an 81-mg aspirin tablet to improve circulation.
  d. Come to the clinic for evaluation. This could be a sign of ergot toxicity.

[jlaineee]

Answer to Question 1

A
Natural forms of vitamin K require bile salts for their uptake. Any condition that reduces the availability of these salts, such as sprue and celiac disease, can reduce vitamin K uptake, leading to a diminished clotting ability and thus bleeding. Deficiencies in celiac disease are associated with the fat-soluble vitamins.
Sore tongue is associated with a lack of B vitamins.
Calcium loss, not calcium excess, would be a problem in this patient.
Hypokalemia does not occur with celiac disease.

Answer to Question 2

d

[bcretired]

Excellent

[FergA]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it