A patient will begin taking hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) for rheumatoid arthritis. The patient is currently taking high-dose NSAIDs and methotrexate. What will the nurse teach the patient?
a. That an eye exam is necessary at the beginning of therapy with this drug
b. That the dose of NSAIDs may be decreased when beginning hydroxychloroquine
c. To obtain tests of renal and hepatic function while taking this drug
d. To stop taking methotrexate when starting hydroxychloroquine
ANS: A
Hydroxychloroquine can cause retinal damage so an eye exam is necessary at the onset of treatment as well as every 6 months during treatment. Patients taking other drugs should continue to take those when beginning treatment with hydroxychloroquine since full therapeutic effects take months to develop. Renal and hepatic toxicity are not concerns. The drug is usually combined with methotrexate.
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