NURSING 6005 CHAPTER 50: PROPHYLAXIS OF CORONARY HEART
DISEASE: Drugs That Help Normalize Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient with a history of angina and hypertension is being started on nicotinic acid (Niacin).
The nurse is providing patient education. What statement made by the patient demonstrates a
need for further teaching?
a. “I will take Tylenol with my medication to reduce the inflammatory effects.”
b. “I will be cautious taking this medication, because I have mild liver damage.”
c. “I will take an aspirin 30 minutes before my niacin to reduce flushing.”
d. “This medication will lower my triglyceride levels.”
ANS: A
Intense flushing of the face, neck, and ears occurs in practically all patients taking nicotinic
acid in pharmacologic doses. Tylenol will not reduce the flushing or inflammatory effects of
the medication; further patient teaching is required. The flushing reaction diminishes in
several weeks and can be attenuated by taking 325 mg of aspirin 30 minutes before each dose.
Nicotinic acid is hepatotoxic; therefore, the patient should be taught to have the liver enzymes
checked and to self-monitor for signs and symptoms. Nicotinic acid reduces low-density
lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) levels.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: Nicotinic Acid (Niacin) | Adverse Effects
TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
2. A prescriber has ordered rosuvastatin (Crestor) for a patient with non–alcoholic-related
cirrhosis. Which intervention would be most appropriate for the nurse before administration of
this drug?
a. Question the order, because rosuvastatin is contraindicated in patients with liver
disease.
b. No intervention is necessary; just administer the drug as ordered.
c. Review the baseline liver function test results.
d. Assess the patient for liver disease.
ANS: C
Before administering rosuvastatin, the nurse should review the results of the baseline liver
function tests (LFTs). Statins can be used by patients with liver disease but not by those with
alcoholic or viral hepatitis. Administering the drug before obtaining baseline LFT results
would not allow for an accurate baseline. The patient clearly already has liver disease.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
REF: HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins) | Adverse Effects | Hepatotoxicity
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
3. A patient with malaise has been taking daptomycin (Cubicin) for an infection and is
concurrently taking simvastatin (Zocor). The nurse should be concerned if the patient
complains of:
, a. nausea.
b. tiredness.
c. muscle pain.
d. headache.
ANS: C
Statins can injure muscle tissue, causing muscle aches and pain known as
myopathy/rhabdomyolysis. Daptomycin also can cause myopathy and therefore should be
used with caution in patients concurrently taking simvastatin. Nausea, tiredness, and headache
would not cause the nurse as much concern as the likelihood of myopathy.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis
REF: HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins) | Adverse Effects | Myopathy | Rhabdomyolysis
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
4. A patient who recently started therapy with an HMG-COA reductase inhibitor asks the nurse,
“How long will it take until I see an effect on my LDL cholesterol?” The nurse gives which
correct answer?
a. “At least 6 months is required to see a change.”
b. “A reduction usually is seen within 2 weeks.”
c. “Blood levels normalize immediately after the drug is started.”
d. “Cholesterol will not be affected, but triglycerides will fall within the first week.”
ANS: B
Reductions in LDL cholesterol are significant within 2 weeks and maximal within 4 to 6
weeks. It does not take 6 months too see a change. The blood level of LDL cholesterol is not
reduced immediately upon starting the drug; a reduction is seen within 2 weeks. Blood
cholesterol is affected, specifically LDL cholesterol, not triglycerides.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension
REF: HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins) | Beneficial Actions
TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Health Promotion and Maintenance
5. A patient taking gemfibrozil (Lopid) and rosuvastatin (Crestor) concurrently begins to
complain of muscle aches, fatigue, and weakness. What should the nurse monitor?
a. For tendon tenderness
b. For a lupuslike syndrome
c. The patient’s LFT results
d. The patient’s creatinine kinase levels
ANS: D
Creatinine kinase levels are the best laboratory indicator of myopathy and/or rhabdomyolysis,
which may lead to renal failure. As can the statins, gemfibrozil and other fibrates can cause
myopathy. Fibrates must be used with caution in patients taking statins. Concurrent use of
gemfibrozil and rosuvastatin does not cause tendon tenderness or a lupuslike syndrome. Liver
function levels should be determined at the start of statin therapy and every 6 months
thereafter in patients who do not have liver disease.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis
REF: HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins) | Adverse Effects | Myopathy | Rhabdomyolysis
DISEASE: Drugs That Help Normalize Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient with a history of angina and hypertension is being started on nicotinic acid (Niacin).
The nurse is providing patient education. What statement made by the patient demonstrates a
need for further teaching?
a. “I will take Tylenol with my medication to reduce the inflammatory effects.”
b. “I will be cautious taking this medication, because I have mild liver damage.”
c. “I will take an aspirin 30 minutes before my niacin to reduce flushing.”
d. “This medication will lower my triglyceride levels.”
ANS: A
Intense flushing of the face, neck, and ears occurs in practically all patients taking nicotinic
acid in pharmacologic doses. Tylenol will not reduce the flushing or inflammatory effects of
the medication; further patient teaching is required. The flushing reaction diminishes in
several weeks and can be attenuated by taking 325 mg of aspirin 30 minutes before each dose.
Nicotinic acid is hepatotoxic; therefore, the patient should be taught to have the liver enzymes
checked and to self-monitor for signs and symptoms. Nicotinic acid reduces low-density
lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) levels.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: Nicotinic Acid (Niacin) | Adverse Effects
TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
2. A prescriber has ordered rosuvastatin (Crestor) for a patient with non–alcoholic-related
cirrhosis. Which intervention would be most appropriate for the nurse before administration of
this drug?
a. Question the order, because rosuvastatin is contraindicated in patients with liver
disease.
b. No intervention is necessary; just administer the drug as ordered.
c. Review the baseline liver function test results.
d. Assess the patient for liver disease.
ANS: C
Before administering rosuvastatin, the nurse should review the results of the baseline liver
function tests (LFTs). Statins can be used by patients with liver disease but not by those with
alcoholic or viral hepatitis. Administering the drug before obtaining baseline LFT results
would not allow for an accurate baseline. The patient clearly already has liver disease.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
REF: HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins) | Adverse Effects | Hepatotoxicity
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
3. A patient with malaise has been taking daptomycin (Cubicin) for an infection and is
concurrently taking simvastatin (Zocor). The nurse should be concerned if the patient
complains of:
, a. nausea.
b. tiredness.
c. muscle pain.
d. headache.
ANS: C
Statins can injure muscle tissue, causing muscle aches and pain known as
myopathy/rhabdomyolysis. Daptomycin also can cause myopathy and therefore should be
used with caution in patients concurrently taking simvastatin. Nausea, tiredness, and headache
would not cause the nurse as much concern as the likelihood of myopathy.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis
REF: HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins) | Adverse Effects | Myopathy | Rhabdomyolysis
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
4. A patient who recently started therapy with an HMG-COA reductase inhibitor asks the nurse,
“How long will it take until I see an effect on my LDL cholesterol?” The nurse gives which
correct answer?
a. “At least 6 months is required to see a change.”
b. “A reduction usually is seen within 2 weeks.”
c. “Blood levels normalize immediately after the drug is started.”
d. “Cholesterol will not be affected, but triglycerides will fall within the first week.”
ANS: B
Reductions in LDL cholesterol are significant within 2 weeks and maximal within 4 to 6
weeks. It does not take 6 months too see a change. The blood level of LDL cholesterol is not
reduced immediately upon starting the drug; a reduction is seen within 2 weeks. Blood
cholesterol is affected, specifically LDL cholesterol, not triglycerides.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension
REF: HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins) | Beneficial Actions
TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Health Promotion and Maintenance
5. A patient taking gemfibrozil (Lopid) and rosuvastatin (Crestor) concurrently begins to
complain of muscle aches, fatigue, and weakness. What should the nurse monitor?
a. For tendon tenderness
b. For a lupuslike syndrome
c. The patient’s LFT results
d. The patient’s creatinine kinase levels
ANS: D
Creatinine kinase levels are the best laboratory indicator of myopathy and/or rhabdomyolysis,
which may lead to renal failure. As can the statins, gemfibrozil and other fibrates can cause
myopathy. Fibrates must be used with caution in patients taking statins. Concurrent use of
gemfibrozil and rosuvastatin does not cause tendon tenderness or a lupuslike syndrome. Liver
function levels should be determined at the start of statin therapy and every 6 months
thereafter in patients who do not have liver disease.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis
REF: HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins) | Adverse Effects | Myopathy | Rhabdomyolysis
