Author Question: A nurse is reviewing a patient's medications before administration. Which drug-to-drug interactions ... (Read 73 times)

berenicecastro · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A nurse is reviewing a patient's medications before administration. Which drug-to-drug interactions should most concern the nurse in a patient with a history of heart failure and a potassium level of 5.5 mEq/L?

a. Furosemide (Lasix) and enalapril (Vasotec)
b. Amlodipine (Norvasc) and spironolactone (Aldactone)
c. Eplerenone (Inspra) and spironolactone (Aldactone)
d. Metoprolol (Lopressor) and furosemide (Lasix)

Question 2

A patient with hypertension who has been taking captopril (Capoten) for several months is admitted to the hospital. The patient reports that food tastes funny. What will the nurse do?

a. Compare the patient's admission weight to a previous weight.
b. Notify the provider to request a different antihypertensive medication.
c. Reassure the patient that this is a temporary side effect of the drug.
d. Request an order for a white blood cell count (WBC) with differential.

Pariscourtney · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
The greatest risk with eplerenone is hyperkalemia, and combining this drug with a potassium-sparing diuretic creates a significant risk of hyperkalemia. Furosemide and enalapril, an ACE inhibitor, would not be contraindicated in this patient. Amlodipine and spironolactone would not cause hyperkalemia. The combination of metoprolol, a beta blocker, and furosemide would not be contraindicated in this patient.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Dysgeusia is a relatively common side effect of ACE inhibitors. It is not necessary to withdraw the medication unless anorexia or weight loss occurs, so assessing the patient's weight is an appropriate nursing action. Unless the condition is interfering with the patient's weight, there is no need to withdraw the drug. Dysgeusia is not temporary. A WBC with differential is indicated if neutropenia, a rare side effect, is suspected.