Author Question: A patient taking gemfibrozil Lopid and rosuvastatin Crestor concurrently begins to complain of ... (Read 43 times)

NClaborn · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A patient taking gemfibrozil Lopid and rosuvastatin Crestor concurrently begins to complain of muscle aches, fatigue, and weakness. What should the nurse monitor?

a. For tendon tenderness
b. For a lupus-like syndrome
c. The patient's liver function test results
d. The patient's creatinine kinase levels

Question 2

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 cor-rect answer?

a. It will take 6 months 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.

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

Answer to Question 1

D
Creatinine kinase levels are the best laboratory indicator of myopathy and/or rhabdomyolysis, which may lead to renal failure. As with the statins, gemfibrozil and other fibrates can cause myopathy. Fibrates must be used with caution in patients taking statins. Concurrent use of gem-fibrozil and rosuvastatin does not cause tendon tenderness or a lupus-like syndrome. Liver func-tion levels should be determined at the start of statin therapy and every 6 months thereafter in patients who do not have liver disease.

Answer to Question 2

B
Reductions in LDL cholesterol are significant within 2 weeks and maximal within 4 to 6 weeks. It does not take 6 months to 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 af-fected, specifically LDL cholesterol, not triglycerides.