What should you do before administering bile acid sequestrants?

Before administering bile acid sequestrants, it is essential to ensure that triglyceride levels are below 300 mg/dL. This is crucial because bile acid sequestrants lower cholesterol levels by binding bile acids in the intestine, which can lead to an increase in triglyceride levels. If triglycerides are already elevated (above 300 mg/dL), the use of bile acid sequestrants can potentially worsen the patient's lipid profile and increase the risk of pancreatitis. Therefore, ensuring triglyceride levels are within a safe range is a critical step in the management of a patient's lipid abnormalities before starting treatment with this class of medications.

Monitoring cholesterol levels is important but does not specifically address the risks associated with elevated triglycerides. Other choices like taking them after meals may not align with recommended administration practices, and increasing the dosage immediately does not relate to the safety assessment necessary prior to initiating treatment.