The patient has been prescribed an oral immunosuppressant medication. The nurse would evaluate the additional teaching is required when the patient makes which statement?

Question

1. "When I mix my medicine with grapefruit juice, it doesn't taste as bad."
2. "I have a cute plastic cup I use to mix my medicine."
3. "It is okay to mix my medication with orange juice."
4. "I always rinse the cup and drink the rinse water."
5. "I have eliminated chocolate from my diet."

Answer 1

1,2,5
Rationale 1: Grapefruit juice increases cyclosporine levels and should be avoided.
Rationale 2: The medication should be mixed in glass unless otherwise directed.
Rationale 3: Orange juice can be used to mix the medication.
Rationale 4: The patient should rinse the cup and drink the rinse water to ensure the entire dose of medication is administered.
Rationale 5: There is no reason to avoid chocolate when taking immunosuppressants.

Global Rationale: Grapefruit juice increases cyclosporine levels and should be avoided. The medication should be mixed in glass unless otherwise directed. There is no reason to avoid chocolate when taking immunosuppressants. Orange juice can be used to mix the medication. The patient should rinse the cup and drink the rinse water to ensure the entire dose of medication is administered.