A patient with liver impairment needs an antiepileptic drug. What ...

[student77]

A patient with liver impairment needs an antiepileptic drug. What drug would be safest for patients with liver impairment?
 
  A) Levetiracetam (Keppra)
  B) Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
  C) Phenobarbital
  D) Valproic acid (Depakene)

Question 2

What does the clinic nurse anticipate as initial drug therapy for a 39-year-old African American man who is 25 pounds overweight and newly diagnosed with hypertension?
 
  A) An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
  B) A beta-blocker
  C) A calcium channel blocker
  D) A diuretic

[kristenb95]

Answer to Question 1

A
Feedback:
Levetiracetam is a newer drug chemically unrelated to other antiepileptic drug. Most of the drug is excreted by the kidneys and is not metabolized by the liver so it would be safer for the patient with liver disease. The other options are all metabolized by the liver, so the patient with liver disease will need a lower dosage.

Answer to Question 2

D
Feedback:
African Americans are at highest risk for developing hypertension with men more likely than women to develop the disease. African Americans have documented differences in response to antihypertensive therapy. They are most responsive to single-drug therapy and diuretics. The first line use of a diuretic is in combination with diet and other lifestyle changes. The use of a calcium channel blocker and/or alpha-adrenergic blocker should follow. African Americans are less responsive to ACE inhibitors and beta-blocker.

[student77]

Thanks

[kristenb95]

Welcome