A nurse is teaching a patient who is about to begin drug therapy with orlistat (Xenical). The patient, whose BMI is 28, has hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the teaching?
a. "Dark urine and light-colored stools are expected side effects with this drug."
b. "I should stop taking this drug once my blood pressure and serum glucose have stabilized."
c. "I will need to take a multivitamin containing fat-soluble vitamins every day."
d. "If I have fatty or oily stools or fecal incontinence I should stop taking this drug."
ANS: C
Because orlistat works by reducing fat absorption, fat-soluble vitamins are not absorbed as well. Patients should take a multivitamin containing vitamins A, D, E, and K. The increased fat is lost in stools, resulting in fatty, oily stools and fecal incontinence. These are expected side effects but are not dangerous and can be managed with bulk-forming laxatives. Orlistat is used for long-term weight loss and should be given up to 2 years to sustain weight loss. Dark urine and light-colored stools indicate possible liver damage and the need to discontinue the drug until liver damage has been ruled out.
You might also like to view...
The nurse working in a pediatrician's office receives a call from the mother of a 4-month-old infant reporting that the child has vomited the entire feeding twice and has had four diarrhea stools since awakening at 4 a.m
The nurse first asks the mother: 1. "How much formula are you feeding at one time?" 2. "What type of formula are you using?" 3. "When was the last wet diaper you changed?" 4. "What color is the emesis?"
A patient has been malnourished for a long time. What essential component of plasma does the nurse most expect to be low?
A) Albumin B) B lymphocytes C) Sodium D) Platelets
A terminally ill client receiving palliative care tells the nurse "I know I am not going to get well
but still...". His voice trails off. A therapeutic response would be a. "What are you hoping for?" b. "No, you are not going to get well.". c. "Do you have questions about what is happening?" d. "When you have questions, it is best to talk to the doctor.".
The nurse is caring for a client with a lower motor neuron lesion who wishes to achieve bladder control. Which intervention does the nurse implement to effectively stimulate the initiation of voiding for this client?
a. Stroking the inner aspect of the thigh b. Intermittent catheterization c. Digital anal stimulation d. The Valsalva maneuver