Question

Nurse in the provider's office is talking with a patient with a prescription for fexofenadine. The patient reports his allergies remain unaffected. Which questions should the nurse ask to determine if the med is being absorbed properly?

a) Are you taking the medication with food?
b) Have you experienced any side effects?
c) Are you taking any other medications concurrently?
d) Have you had any recent changes in your diet?

Answer 1

To determine if fexofenadine is absorbed properly, the nurse should ask if the patient is taking the medication with food, if there are any concurrent medications being taken, and if there have been any recent diet changes. These questions assess potential factors influencing the drug's absorption and efficacy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse in the provider's office should ask several critical questions to determine if fexofenadine is being absorbed properly. First, medication absorption can be affected by food intake, as some medications are better absorbed when taken on an empty stomach or with certain types of food. It would, therefore, be prudent to ask, "Are you taking the medication with food?" Secondly, since other medications can interfere with the absorption or efficacy of fexofenadine, it's important to ask, "Are you taking any other medications concurrently?" Lastly, recent changes in diet can also influence how medications are metabolized, making it relevant to query, "Have you had any recent changes in your diet?" While side effects are important to consider for safety reasons, they do not directly inform on the medication's absorption.

Regarding dose and administration, determining the correct dosage ensures therapeutic drug levels and minimizes side effects. For fexofenadine, standard adult dosing applies and may not vary by mass, but it's always important to consider liver and kidney function which might affect drug clearance and could be a factor if the patient notices no change in allergy symptoms.