Question

After teaching a patient who is prescribed sildenafil about using the drug, the nurse determines that the teaching was successful when the patient states which of the following?

a) "I can take the pill in the morning before I engage in sex later in the day."
b) "I should take the pill after dinner if I'm planning to have sex later that night."
c) "I should take the medication just before I start having sex."
d) "I need to take the pill about an hour before any sexual stimulation."

Answer 1

The correct answer is d) "I need to take the pill about an hour before any sexual stimulation." This ensures the medication's effectiveness for treating erectile dysfunction while acknowledging potential risks for certain individuals with preexisting conditions.

Step-by-step explanation:

A patient who is prescribed sildenafil would demonstrate understanding of how to use the drug correctly if they state the following: "I need to take the pill about an hour before any sexual stimulation." This timing allows the drug to be absorbed and become effective. Sildenafil, which is a phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor, works within the vasodilation signaling pathway to promote erections in men suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED). The patient should be aware of the potential risks, especially if they have cardiac disease and are taking nitrates, as sildenafil can interact with certain medications and may not be suitable for these individuals.