Test Bank - Focus on Nursing Pharmacology (7th Edition by Amy Karch)

A patient has been diagnosed with hairy cell leukemia. The patient is to begin taking interferon alfa 2b. What will the nurse include in her instructions to the patient concerning this drug? A) Avoid drinking alcohol while taking the drug. B) Continue to maintain maximal physical activity. C) Increase fluid intake while taking the drug. D) Treat constipation with over-the-counter laxatives. Ans: C Feedback: Interferon alfa 2b is metabolized in the kidney so adequate fluid intake is needed to promote metabolism and excretion of the drug as well as to minimize common adverse effects including dry skin and dizziness. Maintaining maximal physical activity is a good idea but has no relationship to the use of the drug. Fluids should be increased not decreased while taking the drug. Constipation is not an associated adverse effect of this medication.