A client is reporting that the oral medication she was prescribed ...

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A client is reporting that the oral medication she was prescribed for her hypothyroidism does not seem to be helping. The client goes on to report that she has been experiencing tension-related headaches and constipation.
 
  She has been self-medicating with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and bulk laxa-tives. Which of the following assessment questions is most likely to provide information regard-ing this client's concern regarding her thyroid problem?
  1. How long have you taken Synthroid?
  2. What other medications are you currently on?
  3. How long have you been taking a bulk laxative?
  4. Have you developed any other gastrointestinal symptoms?

Question 2

A client who was recently diagnosed with anemia and rheumatoid arthritis reports to the nurse that she has noticed that her stool is black, and she is concerned because there is a history of co-lon cancer in her family.
 
  Which of the following assessment questions is most likely to provide information regarding this client's bowel problem?
  1. What medications are you currently on?
  2. When did you have your last colonoscopy?
  3. Does the arthritis severely impair your mobility?
  4. Would you like to have the stool tested for occult blood?

[Chou]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: 3
Laxatives often influence the efficacy of other medications by altering the transit time (i.e., the time the medication remains in the GI tract and is available for absorption). The remaining op-tions would have little bearing on the effectiveness of the hypothyroid medication unless the medication has not been taken long enough to reach therapeutic levels.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: 1
Ingestion of iron, commonly prescribed for certain types of anemia, causes discoloration of the stool (black), nausea, vomiting, constipation (diarrhea is less commonly reported), and abdominal cramps. The remaining options, although focusing on aspects of function that could result in con-stipation, are not focused on the most likely cause in this scenario.

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TY

[Chou]

You're welcome