Author Question: The nurse is instructing a patient receiving a cholesterol-lowering agent. Which information should ... (Read 55 times)

ts19998 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The nurse is instructing a patient receiving a cholesterol-lowering agent. Which information should the nurse include in the patient education?

a. This medication will take over for other interventions you have been trying.
b. It is important for you to double your dose if you miss one in order to maintain therapeutic blood levels.
c. Stop taking the medication if you experience constipation.
d. You should continue your exercise program to increase your HDL serum levels.

Question 2

A patient who has recently started therapy on an HMG-COA reductase inhibitor drug asks the nurse, How long will it take until I see an effect on my LDL cholesterol? The nurse correctly states

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 when the drug is started.
d. Cholesterol will not be affected, but triglycerides will fall within the first week.

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

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Regular exercise can reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and elevate high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, thereby reducing the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). The patient should consider the cholesterol-lowering drug an adjunct to a proper diet and exercise.
Drug therapy cannot replace other important interventions, such as diet and exercise.
The patient should never be instructed to double the dose.
Constipation is a side effect of most cholesterol-lowering agents. The patient should be encouraged to eat a high-fiber diet and increase fluids if not contraindicated.

Answer to Question 2

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.