Question

A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for clopidogrel. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include? (Select all that apply.)

A. "Avoid taking herbal supplements while taking this medication."
B. "Monitor for the presence of black, tarry stools."
C. "Take the medication when you have pain."
D. "Schedule a weekly PTT test."
E. "Limit food sources containing vitamin K while taking this medication."

Answer 1

The nurse should instruct the client to avoid herbal supplements while on Clopidogrel and monitor for black, tarry stools, which may suggest gastrointestinal bleeding. Instructions regarding taking the medication for pain, weekly PTT tests, and limiting vitamin K are not applicable to clopidogrel therapy. The correct option is A.

Step-by-step explanation:

Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet medication commonly prescribed to prevent clotting in patients with cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack, unstable angina, ischemic strokes, and TIAs. When providing teaching for a client with a new prescription for clopidogrel, the nurse should include the following instructions: “Avoid taking herbal supplements while taking this medication.” Herbal supplements can interact with clopidogrel, affecting its efficacy or increasing the risk of adverse effects. “Monitor for the presence of black, tarry stools.” This could indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, a potential side effect due to clopidogrel's antiplatelet action. Instructions such as 'Take the medication when you have pain,' 'Schedule a weekly PTT test,' and 'Limit food sources containing vitamin K while taking this medication' are not appropriate for clopidogrel. Clopidogrel is not used for pain management, PTT is not a required test for monitoring clopidogrel therapy, and dietary vitamin K restrictions apply to anticoagulants like warfarin (Coumadin), not to antiplatelet drugs like clopidogrel.

Patients are well advised to consult their healthcare provider before starting or stopping medications or supplements. The nurse should include the following instructions when teaching a client who has a new prescription for Clopidogrel: Avoid taking herbal supplements while taking this medication. Herbal supplements may interact with Clopidogrel and increase the risk of bleeding. Monitor for the presence of black, tarry stools. This could be a sign of gastrointestinal bleeding, which should be reported to the healthcare provider. Limit food sources containing vitamin K while taking this medication. Vitamin K can interfere with the effectiveness of clopidogrel, so it is important to avoid large amounts of foods high in vitamin K, such as leafy green vegetables.