Question

At a visit to the provider's office, an older adult client's partner reports that the client has nausea, diarrhea, and a loss of appetite. He has a history of Alzheimer's disease and is taking donepezil (Aricept). Which information should be provided to the nurse? a) Take the drug with food b) Stop the drug right away c) Undergo liver function tests right away d) Take a reduced dosage of the drug

Answer 1

Given the symptoms of nausea, diarrhea, and loss of appetite in a patient with Alzheimer's disease and taking donepezil, the nurse should likely suggest taking the drug with food to reduce gastrointestinal side effects. However, the healthcare provider should be consulted regarding these symptoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

At a visit to the provider's office, the older adult client's partner indicates the client has been experiencing nausea, diarrhea, and a loss of appetite. Given that client is taking donepezil (Aricept) for Alzheimer's disease, these symptoms may indicate side effects of the drug. Donepezil works by increasing the levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that helps with memory and learning, which might be affected in Alzheimer's disease.

In response to the situation, the nurse should most likely suggest to Take the drug with food. This method often helps reduce common gastrointestinal side effects associated with donepezil. However, it is essential that this advice is not final and the healthcare provider should be consulted for potential changes to the dosage or an alternative medication.

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