A patient who has recently started therapy on a statin drug asks the nurse how long it will take until he sees an effect on his serum cholesterol. Which statement would be the nurse™s best response?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The nurse's best response would be, "It takes 6 to 8 weeks to see a change in cholesterol levels." Statin drugs typically take around 6 to 8 weeks before a noticeable effect on serum cholesterol levels is seen. This timeframe allows the medication to fully take effect and lower the cholesterol levels in the blood. Patients should continue with the prescribed treatment regimen and have their cholesterol levels monitored regularly to assess the effectiveness of the medication.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: At high doses, aspirin shifts to zero-order kinetics, not first-order, due to saturated metabolism, so that's false. Aspirin irreversibly inhibits COX, not reversibly, distinguishing it from other NSAIDs, making that false. At low doses (≤2 g/day), aspirin retains uric acid, not reduces it (uricosuric at >4 g/day), so that's incorrect. All NSAIDs, including aspirin and ibuprofen, distribute into synovial fluid with repeated dosing, a true statement, aiding arthritis treatment. Combining ibuprofen and aspirin reduces, not increases, efficacy due to competition. Synovial penetration is key to their anti-inflammatory action in joints.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra (sildenafil), Cialis (tadalafil), and Levitra (vardenafil) are contraindicated with Nitroglycerin. Both Nitroglycerin and erectile dysfunction drugs work by lowering blood pressure. When taken together, they can cause a significant drop in blood pressure leading to dizziness, fainting, and even serious complications like low blood pressure and decreased oxygen supply to the heart. Therefore, it is important to avoid using these medications together to prevent potential harm.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Prednisone is a corticosteroid medication that can cause side effects such as fluid retention, electrolyte imbalance, and increased blood pressure. On the other hand, high-dose aspirin, especially when taken for arthritis, can have blood-thinning effects that may also contribute to lowering blood pressure. Given these potential effects of both medications, the nurse should be vigilant for the development of hypotension in the patient. Monitoring for signs and symptoms of low blood pressure, such as dizziness, lightheadedness, and weakness, is crucial in this situation to ensure the patient's safety.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Most drugs are absorbed through passive diffusion across the gastrointestinal tract, following a concentration gradient, especially non-ionized forms.