Hypercholesterolemia.

  M.S. is a 56-year-old woman who was recently diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia. She has tried diet therapy and exercise, but her total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels remain elevated. M.S. is unable to take HMG–CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) because of a familial history of allergy and rhabdomyolysis. M.S. is prescribed the bile acid sequestrant (Questran). 1. The patient asks, “How do bile acid sequestrants treat hypercholesterolemia and lower total cholesterol?” How will the nurse respond? 2. What will the nurse teach M.S. about the correct way to take this medication?