Question

L.S. is a 56-year-old woman who was recently diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia. She has tried diet therapy and exercise, but her total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels remain elevated. M.S. is unable to take HMG–CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) because of a familial history of allergy and rhabdomyolysis. M.S. is prescribed the bile acid sequestrant (Questran).

1. The patient asks, “How do bile acid sequestrants treat hypercholesterolemia and lower total cholesterol?” How will the nurse respond?
2. What will the nurse teach L.S. about the correct way to take this medication?

Answer 1

Answer :

Hyper cholesterolemia :

• Even small doses of bile acid sequestrants can help to reduce LDL cholesterol level .A statin which is known as an HMG_ coA reductase inhibitor ,works by interfering with liver's production of cholesterol .
• Bile is a fluid that contain mant things including bile acids and cholesterol .bile plays two important roles in body :
• Bile acids helps to make digestion happen and absorbs fats in the small intestine
• Bile is a natural eliminator .waste products from the body are secreted in to the bile and then eliminated from body through stool .
• So, bile acid sequestrants just help these acids along .the sequestrants take cholesterol containing bile acids and form them into an insoluble complex (meaning it can't be dissolved in the body which then leaved body through stool.

How to take :

• Prevalite ,questran ,and questran light are come in powder form and are mixed with a beverage .
• Welchol is available in tablet form .
• Colestid comes as either granules to be mixed with drink or in tablet form.
• The powder form should be mixed with either water or juice and taken once or twice a day with meals as per doctor prescription .
• If prescribed tablet form ,be sure to take with a large amount of fluid to avoid stomach upset .