A client has been taking thyroid hormone replacement for several years. On today's clinic visit, the nurse remarks that the client has lost 20 pounds. The client states, "I was getting fat, so I started taking an extra thyroid pill every day or so." How should the nurse respond?
1. "Well, it certainly is working for you."
2. "You should follow the dosage instructions for your thyroid medication exactly as written."
3. "I'll ask your physician to increase the number of refills on your prescription."
4. "That could be dangerous to your health."
5. "I may ask the doctor to write a prescription for me."
2,4
Rationale 1: Thyroid medications should not be used in this manner.
Rationale 2: Thyroid medications are of various strengths and should be taken as prescribed.
Rationale 3: The nurse should not provide additional medication to this client.
Rationale 4: Taking excess thyroid medication is dangerous.
Rationale 5: The nurse should not encourage the misuse of prescription medications.
Global Rationale: Thyroid medications are of various strengths and should be taken as prescribed. Taking excess thyroid medication is dangerous. Thyroid medications should not be used in this manner. The nurse should not provide additional medication to this client. The nurse should not encourage the misuse of prescription medications.
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