Pathophysiology
Clinical meaning
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) lower LDL and stabilize plaque. Nurses teach evening dosing for some agents when relevant, myalgia reporting, rhabdomyolysis red flags (cola urine, severe weakness), and hepatic enzyme monitoring per protocol. Drug interactions (grapefruit with certain statins, macrolides, azole antifungals) appear as exam traps. Connect Statins: Teaching Points and Safety Monitoring to bedside cues you will reassess first: vitals trends, work of breathing, perfusion, mentation, and pain or ischemic equivalents when relevant. Boards reward recognizing when subtle instability outweighs reassurance, then selecting nursing actions that protect airway, circulation, and neurologic status before routine tasks.