Author Question: A 78-year-old woman, who lives alone and is forgetful, is being seen by her home health nurse. In ... (Read 73 times)

a0266361136 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A 78-year-old woman, who lives alone and is forgetful, is being seen by her home health nurse. In reviewing the patient's medication, the nurse discovers that the patient is taking Azithromycin (Zithromax) for urethritis.

Why would this be a good choice of antibiotics for this patient? A) The half-life of the drug is 3 to 7 hours.
B) It is taken only once a day.
C) It has very few adverse effects.
D) It can be given without consideration to drugdrug interactions.

Question 2

What instructions would be important to give to a 50-year-old patient with type 2 diabetes who has been switched from glyburide (DiaBeta) to repaglinide?

A) It is less potent, so you will need to take a larger dose.
B) It stimulates insulin production, so you need to eat soon after taking the medication.
C) It is more potent and longer lasting, so you should take it every other day.
D) The two medications are virtually the same.

bigsis44 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

B
Feedback:
Given that the patient is forgetful and lives alone, a daily dose would likely promote improved compliance. Azithromycin can be administered once daily because the half-life is 68 hours. Azithromycin is associated with GI adverse effects and can cause pseudomembranous colitis; neurological symptoms can occur as well. Azithromycin (Zithromax) may adversely interact with cardiac glycosides, oral anticoagulants, theophyllines, carbamazepine, and corticosteroids to name a few agents.

Answer to Question 2

B
Feedback:
Glyburide is a second-generation sulfonylurea that stimulates insulin release from the beta cells in the pancreas with a 2- to 4-hour onset of action. Repaglinide has an onset of action within 30 minutes with peak effect in 1 hour, and duration of action is approximately 3 to 4 hours. Because repaglinide has a much faster onset of action, it is important the patient eats within15 to 30 minutes after taking the drug to avoid hypoglycemia. Repaglinide is not less potent, it is not more potent, and the two medications are not virtually the same.