A patient who has been taking methyldopa (Aldomet) for a year calls the clinic to report, "My eyes look yellow." A nurse should instruct the patient to do which of the following?

Question

a. Keep taking the drug, the discoloration will fade.
b. Come in to have blood work done as soon as possible.
c. Discontinue the medication until the next appointment in 6 weeks.
d. Stop the medication, because it may be causing kidney damage.

Answer 1

B
The nurse should suspect jaundice, which may be the result of hepatotoxicity. The nurse should have the patient come in as soon as possible for blood work to prevent further liver damage. Once impaired liver function has been established, indirect-acting antiadrenergic medications are contraindicated.
If the patient continues taking the drug, further liver damage will result; this should not be rec-ommended to the patient. It disregards the signs of impaired liver function that the patient has.
Discontinuing the medication abruptly may cause the patient to develop rebound hypertension; this should not be recommended. The patient should be seen as soon as possible for blood work to prevent further liver damage.
The medication is known to cause liver damage, not kidney damage, and it should not be stopped abruptly because of the potential for rebound hypertension.