Author Question: An older patient is prescribed nifedipine (Procardia). What teaching topic is most important to ... (Read 79 times)

danielfitts88 · **on:** Jul 11, 2018

An older patient is prescribed nifedipine (Procardia). What teaching topic is most important to discuss with this patient?

a. Need to monitor blood pressure
b. Need to follow low-salt diet
c. Need to change positions slowly
d. Need to add exercise to daily routine

Question 2

Your patient reports frequent constipation as a result of prescription medications and asks the nurse for advice about using a daily over-the-counter laxative. The most appropriate response by the nurse is to

a. tell the patient to consult the health practi-tioner before using nonprescription drugs.
b. educate the patient about the side effects of regular laxative use.
c. tell the patient to avoid laxatives because they can interfere with medications al-ready being taken.
d. tell the patient to consult a dietician about ways to correct chronic constipation.

hramirez205 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 11, 2018

Answer to Question 1

C
Calcium channel blockers such as Procardia can cause orthostatic hypotension in older adults. The nurse educates the patient on preventing this by slow position changes. The other topics are appropriate for all patients on this medication.

Answer to Question 2

A
Education regarding the importance of contacting the health practitioner (physician or pharmac-ist) before taking nonprescription medication is essential for reducing the number of unintentional medication interactions. Educating the patient on side effects and teaching the patient non-pharmaceutical ways to manage constipation are also appropriate.