Advanced Pharmacology Nsg 533 Study Guide Graded A+

A provider teaches a patient who has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism about a new prescription for levothyroxine. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching? a. "I should not take heartburn medication without consulting my provider first." b. "I should report insomnia, tremors, and an increased heart rate to my provider." c. "If I take a multivitamin with iron, I should take it 4 hours after the levothyroxine." d. "If I take calcium supplements, I may need to decrease my dose of levothyroxine." {Ans: D. Calcium may reduce levothyroxine absorption. Further education is needed if the patient feels she can take half of a prescribed medication.}How is treatment monitored and how should results be interpreted as far as therapy changes (the relationship between TSH and T3-4) {Ans: Monitoring should be every 6-8 weeks after starting or dose/product change. If TSH is not in target range (0.5-2.5 mIU/L) alter dose in 10% to 20% increments. .. levothyroxine has a T 1/2 of 6-10 days (and NTI .. see below). How does this relate to the fact that after initiating or changing a does or changing a product (IE brand to generic, generic to brand or one