A 64-year-old man recently started on atorvastatin 40 mg daily asks what symptoms should prompt urgent reporting. Which symptom is the most important to report?

A 64-year-old man recently started on atorvastatin 40 mg daily asks what symptoms should prompt urgent reporting. Which symptom is the most important to report?

• A. Nausea
• B. Aching and weakness in the legs
• C. Headache
• D. Dizziness

Answer: (B)

Statin-induced muscle injury is what this item is assessing. The most important symptom to report urgently is aching and weakness in the legs because it can signal statin-associated myopathy, and in some cases progress to rhabdomyolysis, which risks kidney injury if not addressed quickly. Prompt reporting lets the clinician assess muscle enzymes (like creatine kinase), evaluate kidney function, and decide whether to adjust the dose or stop the statin. Other listed symptoms like nausea, headache, or dizziness can occur with statins but do not carry the same urgency for potential muscle injury. If leg symptoms come with dark urine, fever, or swelling, seek urgent care.

Statin-induced muscle injury is what this item is assessing. The most important symptom to report urgently is aching and weakness in the legs because it can signal statin-associated myopathy, and in some cases progress to rhabdomyolysis, which risks kidney injury if not addressed quickly. Prompt reporting lets the clinician assess muscle enzymes (like creatine kinase), evaluate kidney function, and decide whether to adjust the dose or stop the statin. Other listed symptoms like nausea, headache, or dizziness can occur with statins but do not carry the same urgency for potential muscle injury. If leg symptoms come with dark urine, fever, or swelling, seek urgent care.