A patient will begin taking drugs for hyperlipidemia. The patient ...

[Beheh]

A patient will begin taking drugs for hyperlipidemia. The patient asks about using flaxseed supplements to increase fiber. What will the nurse tell this patient?
 
  a. Not to use defatted flaxseed
  b. That flaxseed helps with the absorption of medications
  c. That flaxseed is not recommended
  d. To take the flaxseed one hour before taking the drug

Question 2

A nurse counsels a patient who is to begin taking gamma-hydroxybutyrate (Xyrem) for narcolepsy. It is important for the nurse to warn the patient that respiratory depression is a potential risk with concomitant use of:
 
  a. alcohol.
  b. beta blockers.
  c. caffeine.
  d. nicotine.

[yeungji]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Flaxseed may reduce the absorption of conventional drugs and should be taken 1 hour prior to or 2 hours after taking drugs. Defatted flaxseed is not recommended for patients with hyperlipidemia. It does not help with the absorption of medications. It has shown efficacy in reducing cholesterol and LDL.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
The nurse should advise the patient to avoid alcohol when taking gamma-hydroxybutyrate, because combining the two increases the risk of respiratory depression. Gamma-hydroxybutyrate has no drug-to-drug interactions with beta blockers, caffeine, or nicotine.

[Beheh]

TYSM

[tkempin]

Excellent