A nurse is assisting with the plan of care for an older adult client who has a new prescription for transdermal clonidine. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the plan of care?

Choice A Reason:

"The organism that causes TB becomes resistant to antituberculotic medications when you only take one medication." This statement is appropriate.

Tuberculosis bacteria tend to develop resistance to single medications when used alone. Using multiple medications simultaneously helps prevent the bacteria from becoming resistant to any single drug. This strategy, known as combination therapy, is crucial in treating TB effectively and reducing the risk of drug resistance.

When TB bacteria are exposed to just one medication, they can mutate and become resistant to that specific drug. However, using a combination of medications helps ensure that if one medication fails to eliminate some bacteria due to resistance, the other drugs can still work against the resistant strains.

Preventing drug resistance is essential for successful TB treatment and to avoid the need for more complex and less effective medications if resistance develops.

Choice B Reason:

"Taking several antituberculotic medications will protect your liver from toxic effects." This statement is incorrect. While it's true that some antituberculotic medications can have hepatotoxic effects (adverse effects on the liver), the primary reason for using multiple medications in TB treatment isn't solely to protect the liver. The main goal of using multiple medications is to prevent the development of drug-resistant strains of TB bacteria. Protecting the liver is an important consideration in medication selection and monitoring but isn't the primary rationale for multiple medications.

Choice C Reason:

"People who have a severe form of TB need several antituberculotic medications, but those who have less severe TB need just one medication." This statement is incorrect. The severity of TB doesn't determine the number of medications required. The standard treatment approach for TB involves multiple medications, regardless of the severity. This approach aims to prevent the development of drug resistance, ensure effective treatment, and reduce the risk of treatment failure. Using a combination of medications is a fundamental strategy to combat TB effectively.

Choice D Reason:

"Adverse effects occur more often and are more severe when you take only one antituberculotic medication." This statement is incorrect. While it's true that adverse effects can occur with antituberculotic medications, the primary reason for using multiple medications isn't solely to reduce adverse effects. The main concern addressed by using multiple drugs is preventing the development of drug-resistant TB strains. Using a combination of medications reduces the likelihood of resistance developing and increases the effectiveness of treatment, rather than solely minimizing adverse effects.

Choice A Reason:

Ensure the blinds in the client's room remain open is not appropriate. Bright light can contribute to sensory overload. It's better to create a subdued and calming environment, so keeping the blinds closed or partially closed might help reduce excess stimuli.

Choice B Reason:

Place the client in a room near the nurses' station is not appropriate. Being near the nurses' station could increase the noise and activity around the client, potentially worsening sensory overload. It's advisable to place the client in a quieter area away from high-traffic zones to minimize auditory and visual stimulation.

Choice C Reason:

Play quiet music in the client's room is incorrect. While soothing music might help some individuals relax, for someone experiencing sensory overload, even low-volume music could add to the stimuli. Silence or minimal ambient noise might be more beneficial.

Choice D Reason:

Break up nursing care into small, frequent sessions is correct. This action is beneficial for managing sensory overload. Breaking up care into smaller sessions allows for adequate rest periods between activities, reducing the overall sensory input at any given time.