Dyslipidemia

Question 1

What are High Density Lipid Proteins?

Answer 1

• “good cholesterol”
• cardioprotective
• recycles cholesterol

Question 2

What are Low Density Lipid Proteins?

Answer 2

• “bad cholesterol”
• hypercholesterolemia

Question 3

What do antilipemic drugs do?

Answer 3

• used to lower lipid therapy
• used as adjunct to diet therapy

Question 4

What are risk factors of hyperlipidemia?

Answer 4

• obesity
• hypertriglyceridemia
• low HDL

Question 5

What are the different classes of dyslipidemia drugs?

Answer 5

• HMG–CoA
• Bile acid sequestrants
• Nicotinic acid
• Fibric acid derivatives
• Cholesterol absorption inhibitor

Question 6

What are some Hydroxymethylglutaryl–coenzyme A (HMG–CoA) reductase inhibitors?

Answer 6

• atorvastatin
• simvastatin
• (also referred to as “statins”)

Question 7

What are adverse effects of HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors?

Answer 7

• myopathy leading to rhabdomyolysis

Question 8

What is rhabdomyolysis?

Answer 8

serious medical condition that can be fatal

• breakdown of muscle protein
• myoglobinuria (urinary elimination of the muscle protein myoglobin)
• if caught early, it’s reversible when statin drug discontinued
• report any signs of toxicity, muscle soreness or changes in urine color

Question 9

What are some drug interactions with HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors?

Answer 9

• warfarin (bleeding)
• gemfibrozil (myopathy)
• grapefruit juice (rhabdo)

Question 10

What is a nursing consideration for HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors?

Answer 10

• report RUQ abd pain/discomfort, “coca cola” urine, or jaundice
• Dosed once daily, usually with the evening meal or at bedtime to correlate with cholesterol production in the body

Question 11

What are some bile acid sequestrants?

Answer 11

• cholestyramine
• colesevelam

Question 12

What happens when there is an overdose of bile acid sequestrants?

Answer 12

can cause obstruction in the GI tract because the bile acid sequestrants are not absorbed

Question 13

What is precaution of cholestyramine?

Answer 13

dry powder - choking hazard!
- must be diluted in 4-6oz. of water, milk, fruit juice, or other noncarbonated beverages

Question 14

What is a nursing consideration for bile acid sequestrants?

Answer 14

Administer other medications 1 hour before or 4-6 hours after the administration of this medication

Question 15

What is a nicotinic acid/vitamin B3?

Answer 15

niacin

Question 16

What does niacin do?

Answer 16

decreases lipoprotein and triglyceride synthesis

Question 17

What is an adverse effect of niacin?

Answer 17

cutaneous flushing and sensation of warmth

• especially face, neck and ears

Question 18

Niacin nursing consideration?

Answer 18

Can cause flushing of the face and neck; advise patients to take aspirin or a NSAID 30 minutes before niacin

Question 19

What are some fibric acid derivatives?

Answer 19

• gemfibrozil
• fenofibrate

Question 20

What is a Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitor?

Answer 20

ezetimibe

Question 21

Ezetimibe nursing consideration?

Answer 21

Works BEST when given w/ a statin

Question 22

What to educate patients on dyslipedemia drugs?

Answer 22

• medication should be used in conjunction with diet and lifestyle restrictions