A hospitalized patient who is prescribed lovastatin (Mevacor) 80 mg orally looks at the four tablets the nurse provides and says "At home, I only take two pills for 80 mg. I think this is too many pills." What is the nurse's best action?
a. Hold the dose and contact the prescriber.
b. Remind the patient that the prescriber knows what is best for his or her particular health problem.
c. Explain that each tablet contains 20 mg of the drug instead of 40 mg, and that four 20-mg tablets are the same dosage as two 40-mg tablets.
d. Explain to the patient that while at home a lower dosage of the drug may have been prescribed than what is required while being hospitalized.
C
There are many different dosage strengths for this drug, including both 20-mg tablets and 40-mg tablets. The patient is right to question a dose that seems different from what is taken at home. The nurse, who knows that the drug available on the hospital unit is available as lovastatin 20-mg tablets, reassures the patient by explaining the differences in tablet content. If further evidence is needed to completely reassure the patient, the nurse can provide the drug container.
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