Author Question: Which precaution is important for the nurse to teach an older patient who is prescribed methimazole ... (Read 92 times)

azncindy619 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

Which precaution is important for the nurse to teach an older patient who is prescribed methimazole (Tapazole)?

a. If you miss a dose, go to the nearest emergency department and get an injection of methimazole.
b. Be sure to wear sunscreen and a hat whenever you go outside into the sunshine.
c. Drink at least 3 liters of fluid daily while taking this drug.
d. Avoid contact with crowds or anyone who is ill.

Question 2

A patient who is prescribed propylthiouracil (Propacil) also takes warfarin (Coumadin). Which laboratory blood test result indicates to the nurse a possible drug interaction?

a. Hematocrit 42
b. Hemoglobin 14.2 g/dL
c. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 12 mg/dL
d. International normalized ratio (INR) 5.0

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

Answer to Question 1

D
The older adult's resistance to infection is already lower than a younger adult's because of age-related changes that occur in the immune system. The decreased bone marrow activity caused by methimazole makes this problem worse, greatly increasing the older adult's risk for infection.

Answer to Question 2

D
Propylthiouracil increases the effectiveness of warfarin. Warfarin's effectiveness is measured by the INR. This value should be between 1.5 and 3.0 in a patient taking warfarin. With an INR lev-el of 4.5 the patient is at extreme risk for excessive bleeding.