Chapter 17: Stimulants McCuistion: Pharmacology: A Patient-Centered Nursing Process Approach, 9th Edition

1. The nurse is performing a medication history on a patient who reports using phentermine HCl (Suprenza) 15 mg/day for the past 3 months as an appetite suppressant. The nurse will contact the patient’s provider to discuss a. changing the medication to phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia). b. increasing the dose to 37.5 mg/day since tolerance has likely occurred. c. initiating a slow taper of the phentermine. d. stopping the drug immediately since long-term use is not recommended. ANS: C The nurse should discuss a gradual taper of the medication with the provider. Patients using anorexiants should not stop taking them abruptly because depression and withdrawal symptoms may occur. Phentermine-topiramate is recommended for short-term use only. Patients should not use these medications longer than 12 weeks, so increasing the dose is not indicated. DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application) REF: p. 226 TOP: Nursing Process: Planning/Nursing Intervention MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies 2. The nurse is caring for a 7-year-old child who has difficulty concentrating and completing tasks and who cannot seem to sit still. Which diagnostic test may be ordered to assist with a diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in this child?