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 start to show an effect on lowering cholesterol levels within 6 to 8 weeks of starting therapy. It may take some time for the medication to reach its maximum effectiveness, but a noticeable change can usually be seen within this time frame. Monitoring cholesterol levels through blood tests is important to assess the effectiveness of the medication and make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Meperidine hydrochloride (Demerol) is an opioid analgesic commonly used for post-operative pain management. The common side effects of meperidine include tremors, sweating, and dizziness. Diarrhea is not a common side effect associated with meperidine use. Opioid analgesics like meperidine more commonly cause constipation rather than diarrhea. Therefore, choice B is the correct answer as the side effect of diarrhea is not typically seen with meperidine administration.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: In the case of a Heparin overdose, the antidote of choice is Protamine sulfate. Heparin is a commonly used anticoagulant medication, and if an overdose occurs leading to excessive bleeding, Protamine sulfate can be administered to reverse the effects of Heparin by neutralizing its anticoagulant activity. It forms a complex with Heparin, rendering it inactive and helping to slow down or stop the bleeding. Naloxone is used as an antidote for opioid overdose, Ibutilide is used for arrhythmias, and Methylphenidate is a central nervous system stimulant commonly used to treat ADHD. But these antidotes are not appropriate for reversing the effects of a Heparin overdose.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Metformin is a first-line medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Its primary pharmacological action is to decrease hepatic glucose production by inhibiting gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis in the liver. This helps to lower blood glucose levels. Metformin also increases insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues like muscle and fat, allowing tissues to better respond to insulin and take up glucose from the blood. This dual mechanism of action makes metformin an effective medication for managing blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant medication that works by inhibiting the action of vitamin K, reducing blood clotting. In cases of Warfarin overdose or excessive anticoagulation resulting in bleeding complications, the antidote is vitamin K. Vitamin K helps the liver produce clotting factors, which can counteract the effects of Warfarin and restore normal blood clotting. Other options such as Naloxone, Digibind, and Flumazenil are antidotes used for specific situations like opioid overdose, digoxin toxicity, and benzodiazepine overdose, respectively, and are not relevant for Warfarin antidote.