A patient is prescribed tetrabenazine (Xenazine) for treatment of ...

[ARLKQ]

A patient is prescribed tetrabenazine (Xenazine) for treatment of chorea caused by Huntington disease. What should the nurse emphasize when teaching the patient and family about this medication?
 
  Select all that apply.
 
  1. Do not take with levodopa.
  2. Avoid overexposure to heat.
  3. Report any suicidal thoughts.
  4. Be alert for signs of depression.
  5. Have routine liver function tests completed.

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a patient with Guillain-Barr syndrome. Which medication should the nurse expect to provide to this patient?
 
  Select all that apply.
  1. antibiotics for urinary tract or respiratory infections
  2. morphine for muscle pain
  3. anticoagulants to prevent DVTs and pulmonary emboli
  4. anticonvulsants to prevent seizures
  5. anticholinesterase inhibitors to improve muscle strength

[cassie_ragen]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1, 3, 4
Tetrabenazine shows the most improvement in treating the chorea of Huntington disease. The drug may cause depression and risk of suicide; patients and caregivers should immediately stop the drug and notify the healthcare provider if manifestations of depression are observed. It increases the effects of, and should not be taken in combination with, Levodopa (for Parkinson disease). Overexposure to heat is a potential adverse effect of medications used to treat Parkinson disease. Riluzole is associated with the risk of elevated liver enzymes.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1, 2, 3
Medications may be prescribed to provide support or prophylaxis, or to combat concurrent problems in the patient with Guillain-Barr syndrome. These include antibiotics for urinary tract or respiratory infections, morphine for muscle pain and anticoagulants to prevent DVTs and pulmonary emboli. Anticonvulsants and anticholinesterase inhibitors are not used in the treatment of Guillain-Barr syndrome.

[ARLKQ]

Correct answers!

[cassie_ragen]

Great! Please up vote