A patient who recently started therapy with an HMG-COA reductase ...

[APUS57]

A patient who recently started therapy with an HMG-COA reductase inhibitor asks the nurse, How long will it take until I see an effect on my LDL cholesterol? The nurse gives which correct answer?
 
  a. At least 6 months is required to see a change.
  b. A reduction usually is seen within 2 weeks.
  c. Blood levels normalize immediately after the drug is started.
  d. Cholesterol will not be affected, but triglycerides will fall within the first week.

Question 2

A prescriber has ordered rosuvastatin (Crestor) for a patient with nonalcoholic-related cirrhosis. Which intervention would be most appropriate for the nurse before administration of this drug?
 
  a. Question the order, because rosuvastatin is contraindicated in patients with liver disease.
  b. No intervention is necessary; just administer the drug as ordered.
  c. Review the baseline liver function test results.
  d. Assess the patient for liver disease.

[tsternbergh47]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Reductions in LDL cholesterol are significant within 2 weeks and maximal within 4 to 6 weeks. It does not take 6 months too see a change. The blood level of LDL cholesterol is not reduced immediately upon starting the drug; a reduction is seen within 2 weeks. Blood cholesterol is affected, specifically LDL cholesterol, not triglycerides.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Before administering rosuvastatin, the nurse should review the results of the baseline liver function tests (LFTs). Statins can be used by patients with liver disease but not by those with alcoholic or viral hepatitis. Administering the drug before obtaining baseline LFT results would not allow for an accurate baseline. The patient clearly already has liver disease.

[APUS57]

Both answers were spot on, thank you once again

[tsternbergh47]

Great! Please up vote