the caregiver of a patient with newly diagnos...
the caregiver of a patient with newly diagnosed alzheimer disease is started on donepezil 5 mg po every night asks the nurse if the dose can be increased as it is ineffective. which response would the nurse provide?\n“let’s talk to the health care provider about this.”\n“we should wait 4 to 6 weeks to determine if the dose is therapeutic.”\n“the drug can be given in a patch form to increase effectiveness.”\n“have you tried giving the medication with food?”
Answer
# Brief Explanations:
Donepezil for Alzheimer's disease often takes 4 - 6 weeks to show full therapeutic effects. A premature decision to increase the dose is not advisable. Discussing with the provider is a valid option but not the most immediate response. Patch - form is not relevant here and giving with food doesn't address the dose - effectiveness concern.
# Answer:
"We should wait 4 to 6 weeks to determine if the dose is therapeutic."