1)A patient has been prescribed cholestyramine (Questran) for elevated lipids. What teaching is important for this patient? 2. A male patient with diabetes presents to the emergency department with complaints of being flushed and having "hot flashes." The patient admits to self-medicating with niacin for elevated lipid levels. What is the nurse's best response?

Step-by-step explanation

1) Cholestyramine belongs to a class of drugs called bile acid sequestrants. It has the risk of causing esophageal irritation, and thus follow the considerations below:

Take this drug with food.

You should take this drug with meals unless a different time of day would be better to help you avoid interactions with other medications.

Always mix this drug with water, juice, other non-carbonated drinks, applesauce, pulpy fruits (such as crushed pineapple), or thin soups.

2) The nurse should first advice the patient to stop self-medicating and seek a medical guidance since the patient also has diabetes, and niacin is said to affect blood glucose levels or interact with drugs used to treat diabetes.  Flushing happens when tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin open wider.

To lower the chance of flushing:

Ask your doctor if you can take aspirin to help lower the flushing side effect from niacin. You can take aspirin (up to the recommended dose of 325 mg) about 30 minutes before you take niacin to help lower the flushing side effect.

Avoid hot beverages (including coffee), alcohol, or eat spicy foods around the time you take niacin.