The following day, K.B. is discharged feeling much better and with a good understanding of her dietary
restrictions. Her iron stores have been evaluated and found to be low.
Her physician has instructed her
to resume her preadmission medications, with the addition of ferrous fumarate oral suspension 100 mg
PO tid between meals with water, if tolerated (or with meals if GI distress occurs) and epoetin (Epogen) to
be given three times a week intravenously with dialysis. She is also given a prescription for Nephrocaps
vitamin supplements to be taken daily.
Explain the purpose of the new medications for K. B.
• Ferrous fumarate oral suspension is being prescribed for her iron deficiency anemia. The liquid
form of iron is better absorbed through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and will be used by the
epoetin to make new RBCs.
• Epoetin is being prescribed for her anemia. She will receive the medication after her dialysis, and
over time it should help increase her blood levels and lessen her fatigue. Other symptoms that
respond to erythropoietin therapy include poor appetite, coldness, disordered sleep patterns,
depression, and sexual disinterest. Patients usually require chronic therapy.
• The Nephrocaps contain a vitamin formulation that is made specifically for patients with renal
impairment.
You might also like to view...
A student is working with a floor nurse who is admitting a new patient to the unit. The nurse asks the patient if he has traveled outside the United States in the past 12 months
The student knows that this information is part of what area of the comprehensive health history? A) Activities B) Present illness C) Demographical data D) History of illnesses
Oral emergency contraception (Plan B) is contraindicated in women who:
1. Had intercourse within the past 72 hours 2. May be pregnant 3. Are taking combined oral contraceptives 4. Are using a diaphragm
Nurses expect that an elderly patient who is experiencing presbycusis (hearing loss associated with aging) would:
A) Have copious amounts of cerumen in the ear B) Have more trouble hearing female voices than male voices C) Have fluid behind the eardrum D) Have ear surgery
A 74-year-old client with a history of osteoarthritis is being treated in the hospital for pneumonia and malnutrition. The nurse administered 650 mg of acetaminophen 90 minutes ago and the client is now requesting another dose
The medication administration record has the following choices; which choice by the nurse is most appropriate? A) Normal saline 5 ml IV B) Acetaminophen 1,000 mg PO C) Morphine 5 mg IV D) Oxycodone 5 mg PO