A patient has been taking donepezil (Aricept) for several months ...

[theo]

A patient has been taking donepezil (Aricept) for several months after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The patient's spouse brings the patient to the clinic and reports that the patient seems to be having visual hallucinations.
 
  The primary care NP should: a. increase the dose.
  b. decrease the dose.
  c. switch to memantine (Namenda).
  d. switch to galantamine (Razadyne).

Question 2

A patient comes to the clinic with a history of fever of 102 F for several days, poor appetite, and cough. A sputum culture is pending, but Gram stain indicates a bacterial infection. The primary care nurse practitioner (NP) should:
 
  a. begin empirical antibiotic therapy.
  b. use a broad-spectrum antibiotic for initial treatment.
  c. prescribe an antibiotic when culture and sensitivity results are known.
  d. offer symptomatic treatment only unless the patient's condition worsens.

[yasmin]

Answer to Question 1

B
Hallucinations may be a sign of drug toxicity. The NP should decrease the dose.

Answer to Question 2

A
Patients with signs and symptoms of a bacterial infection may be treated empirically, especially if Gram stain is positive. The antibiotic may need to be changed when culture and sensitivity results become available. It is best to use an antibiotic that is specific to the suspected organism and not a broad-spectrum antibiotic.

[theo]

TY

[yasmin]

You're welcome