A nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed diphenhydramine to relieve pruritus. The client asks the nurse how he can minimize the daytime sedation he is experiencing. Which of the following responses should the nurse give?
"Distribute the doses evenly throughout the day!"
"Gradually decrease the dose once tolerance to the effect is reached."
"Take the medication with meals."
"Take most of the daily dose at bedtime."
The Correct Answer is D
Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine medication that can cause sedation as a side effect. Taking most of the daily dose at bedtime can help minimize daytime sedation. By taking the medication closer to bedtime, the sedative effects are more likely to occur during sleep, reducing the impact of sedation during waking hours.
The other options mentioned are not effective strategies to minimize daytime sedation caused by diphenhydramine:
A. "Distribute the doses evenly throughout the day": This approach may lead to a consistent level of sedation throughout the day and may not effectively minimize daytime sedation.
B. "Gradually decrease the dose once tolerance to the effect is reached": Gradually decreasing the dose of diphenhydramine is not a recommended strategy for minimizing daytime sedation. It is important to follow the prescribed dose and consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to the medication regimen.
C. "Take the medication with meals": Taking diphenhydramine with meals may help reduce the risk of stomach upset but does not directly address the issue of daytime sedation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Acetaminophen is generally considered safe and well-tolerated when used appropriately. However, it is primarily metabolized by the liver, and in cases of severe hepatic impairment or liver failure, the metabolism of acetaminophen can be significantly impaired. This can lead to the accumulation of toxic metabolites, which can cause further liver damage and potentially result in hepatotoxicity.
Hypertension, gallbladder disease, and tachyarrhythmias are not typically considered contraindications for the use of acetaminophen. However, it is important to consider any potential interactions or precautions when using acetaminophen in patients with these conditions, and consulting with a healthcare provider is recommended to ensure the safe and appropriate use of the medication.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Montelukast is a medicine used to treat and prevent asthma and allergic rhinitis. It can cause some side effects, such as stomach pain, headache, cough, or fever. However, some side effects are more serious and need to be reported to the provider.
According to the sources I found, the most serious side effect of montelukast that should be reported to the provider is depression. Depression is a mental health condition that can affect your mood, thoughts, and behavior. It can cause symptoms such as feeling sad, hopeless, or worthless; losing interest in activities you used to enjoy; having trouble sleeping or concentrating; or having thoughts of harming yourself or others.
Montelukast has been linked to neuropsychiatric events, such as agitation, aggression, sleep disturbances, suicidal thoughts and behavior (including suicide). The mechanisms underlying these events are not well understood, but they can occur at any time during treatment. Therefore, patients and caregivers should be alert for changes in behavior or new neuropsychiatric symptoms when taking montelukast. If these occur, they should discontinue montelukast and contact a healthcare provider immediately.
The other options are not listed as serious side effects of montelukast that need to be reported to the provider. Constipation, blurred vision, and palpitations are possible side effects of other medicines used to treat asthma or allergic rhinitis, such as corticosteroids, antihistamines, or beta-agonists. However, they are not specific to montelukast and may not be related to its use.
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