DRUG MECHANISM INDICATIONS CONTRAINDICATIONS SIDE EFFECTS/ NURSING

CLASSIFICATION OF ACTION ADVERSE CONSIDERATIONS

EFFECTS
cholestyramine Binds bile acids in Management of - Hypersensitivity - Irritation of the Assessment:
the GI tract, primary - Complete biliary tongue - Assess for
PO (adults): 4 g1-2 forming an hypercholesterolemia. obstruction - Abdominal contraindications and
times a daily insoluble complex. Pruritis associated - Some products discomfort cautions.
(initially, may be Result is increased with elevated levels contain aspartame - Constipation - Perform a physical
increased as clearance of of bile acids. and should be - Nausea assessment.
needed/tolerated up cholesterol. avoided in patients - Flatulence - Weigh the patient.
to 24g/day in 6 with - Vomiting - Inspect the patient’s
divided doses) Therapeutic phenylketonuria. - Rashes skin for color,
effects: - Vitamin A, D, bruising, and rash.
PO (children): 240 Decreased plasma and K - Assess neurological
mg/kg/day in 2-3 cholesterol and deficiency status.
divided doses ( not low-density - Monitor pulse and
>8 g/day) lipoproteins. blood pressure.
Decreased pruritis. - Inspect the abdomen
for distention and
auscultate bowel
sounds.
- Assess bowel
elimination patterns.

Nursing diagnoses:
- Acute pain related to
headache and GI
effects
- Constipation related to
GI effects
- Risk for injury related
to CNS changes and
potential for bleeding.
Planning:
- The patient will
receive the best
therapeutic effect from
the drug therapy.
- The patient will have
limited adverse effects
to the drug therapy.
- The patient will have
an understanding of
the drug therapy,
adverse effects to
anticipate, and
measures to relieve
discomfort and
improve safety
Implementation:
- Do not administer
powdered agents in
dry form.
- If the patient is taking
tablets, ensure that
tablets are not cut,
chewed, or crushed.
 - Give the drug before
meals
- Provide comfort
measures.
- Offer support and
encouragement.
- Provide thorough
patient teaching

Evaluation:
- Monitor patient
response to the drug.
- Monitor for adverse
effects.
- Monitor for the
effectiveness of
comfort measures and
compliance with the
regimen.
- Evaluate the
effectiveness of the
teaching plan.
 DRUG MECHANISM INDICATIONS CONTRAINDICATIONS SIDE EFFECTS/ NURSING
CLASSIFICATION OF ACTION ADVERSE CONSIDERATIONS
EFFECTS
Colesevalam Binds bile acids Adjunctive therapy to - Hypersensitivity - Constipation Assessment:
in the GI tract. diet and exercise for - Bowel obstruction - dyspepsia - Assess for
PO (adults): 3 Result in the reduction of LDL contraindications and
tablets twice daily or increased cholesterol in patients cautions.
6 tablets once daily; clearance of with primary - Perform a physical
may be increased to 7 cholesterol, hypercholesterolemia; assessment.
tablets daily. may be used aloe or in - Weigh the patient.
Therapeutic combination with - Inspect the patient’s
effects: HMG-CoA reductase skin for color,
Decreased inhibitor. bruising, and rash.
cholesterol - Assess neurological
status.
- Monitor pulse and
blood pressure.
- Inspect the abdomen
for distention and
auscultate bowel
sounds.
- Assess bowel
elimination patterns.

Nursing diagnoses:
- Acute pain related to
headache and GI
effects
- Constipation related to
GI effects
- Risk for injury related
to CNS changes and
potential for bleeding.
Planning:
- The patient will
receive the best
therapeutic effect from
the drug therapy.
- The patient will have
limited adverse effects
to the drug therapy.
- The patient will have
an understanding of
the drug therapy,
adverse effects to
anticipate, and
measures to relieve
discomfort and
improve safety
Implementation:
- Do not administer
powdered agents in
dry form.
- If the patient is taking
tablets, ensure that
tablets are not cut,
chewed, or crushed.
 - Give the drug before
meals
- Provide comfort
measures.
- Offer support and
encouragement.
- Provide thorough
patient teaching

Evaluation:
- Monitor patient
response to the drug.
- Monitor for adverse
effects.
- Monitor for the
effectiveness of
comfort measures and
compliance with the
regimen.
- Evaluate the
effectiveness of the
teaching plan.