A Patient with Hypothyroidism Is Given a Prescription for Levothyroxine

question 12

Multiple Choice

A patient with hypothyroidism is given a prescription for levothyroxine (Synthroid) . When the nurse explains that this is a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone, he states that he prefers to receive more "natural" forms of drugs. What will the nurse explain to him about the advantages of levothyroxine?

• A) It has a stronger effect than the natural forms.
• B) Levothyroxine is less expensive than the natural forms.
• C) The synthetic form has fewer adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract.
• D) The half-life of levothyroxine is long enough to permit once-daily dosing.

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