Author Question: The patient receives donepezil (Aricept) as treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Which laboratory ... (Read 74 times)

jayhills49 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The patient receives donepezil (Aricept) as treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Which laboratory test(s) will the nurse primarily assess?

1. Serum amylase levels
2. Complete blood count
3. Pulmonary function tests
4. Liver function tests

Question 2

A mother calls the clinic and tells the nurse that her 4-month-old baby has a fever. The mother asks if she can use the liquid acetaminophen (Tylenol) that is used for her 10-year-old child. What is the best response by the nurse?

1. Infants should not have acetaminophen (Tylenol) because it damages the liver.
2. It is best if the pediatrician is called; he can be asked this question.
3. It is fine to use the same medicine for both children.
4. Infant drops should be used for the baby; they are different from liquid medicine.

nanny · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

4
Rationale 1: Donepezil (Aricept) does not affect pancreatic function; so monitoring of serum amylase levels is not required.
Rationale 2: Donepezil (Aricept) does not affect blood counts; so monitoring of complete blood counts (CBC) is not required.
Rationale 3: Donepezil (Aricept) does not affect pulmonary function; so monitoring of pulmonary function tests is not required.
Rationale 4: Donepezil (Aricept) is hepatotoxic and requires monitoring of liver function tests (LFTs) in any patient who is receiving this drug.
Global Rationale: Donepezil (Aricept) is hepatotoxic and requires monitoring of liver function tests (LFTs) in any patient who is receiving this drug. Donepezil (Aricept) does not affect pulmonary function; so monitoring of pulmonary function tests is not required. Donepezil (Aricept) does not affect pancreatic function; so monitoring of serum amylase levels is not required. Donepezil (Aricept) does not affect blood counts; so monitoring of complete blood counts (CBC) is not required.

Answer to Question 2

4
Rationale 1: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the preferred antipyretic drug for infants and children.
Rationale 2: The nurse can answer the mother's question; it is not necessary to refer to the pediatrician.
Rationale 3: It is not fine to use the same medicine for both children because the concentration of medication is different.
Rationale 4: Infant drops should be used for the baby; they have a different concentration of medication than the liquid preparations.
Global Rationale: Infant drops should be used for the baby; they have a different concentration of medication than the liquid preparations. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the preferred antipyretic drug for infants and children. The nurse can answer the mother's question; it is not necessary to refer to the pediatrician. It is not fine to use the same medicine for both children because the concentration of medication is different.