A patient is taking tetracycline for a rickettsial infection and ...

[olgavictoria]

A patient is taking tetracycline for a rickettsial infection and reports having heartburn. The primary care NP should:
 
  a. ask the patient how the medication is taken.
  b. tell the patient to take the medication with food.
  c. tell the patient to use antacids when heartburn occurs.
  d. recommend drinking milk when taking the medication.

Question 2

A patient who has Parkinson's disease takes levodopa and carbidopa. The patient reports experiencing tremors between doses. The primary care NP should:
 
  a. add entacapone.
  b. add amantadine.
  c. discontinue the carbidopa.
  d. increase the dose of levodopa.

[coreycathey]

Answer to Question 1

A
Patients should sit up for at least 30 minutes after taking tetracycline to avoid the risk of esophageal ulceration. Tetracycline should not be taken with food, antacids, or milk.

Answer to Question 2

A
Catecholamine O-methyl transferase inhibitors, such as entacapone, are used to prolong the effects of levodopa and help prevent breakthrough tremors that occur before the next dose of levodopa. Amantadine is not indicated. Increasing carbidopa does not have this effect. Increasing the dose of levodopa does not prolong its effects.

[olgavictoria]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[amit]

TYSM