A nurse is collecting data from a client who has hypertension.
The nurse should recognize that which of the following over-the-counter medications is contraindicated for this client?

Choice A rationale:

While it’s important for the provider to be informed if the medication isn’t working, it’s premature to change the medication after only 6 days.

Choice B rationale:

Amitriptyline does not need to be taken on an empty stomach to be effective.

Choice C rationale:

Amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant, often takes several weeks before a therapeutic effect is felt.

Choice D rationale:

Increasing the dose prematurely can lead to unnecessary side effects. It’s better to wait for the medication to take effect.

Choice A rationale:

Levalbuterol is a bronchodilator that relaxes muscles in the airways and increases air flow to the lungs. Therefore, a decrease in wheezing is a therapeutic effect of the medication, making this the correct choice.

Choice B rationale:

While levalbuterol can cause an increase in respiratory rate as a side effect, it is not considered a therapeutic effect of the medication. The primary goal of levalbuterol is to improve breathing by relaxing the muscles of the airways, not to increase respiratory rate.

Choice C rationale:

Levalbuterol does not directly affect nausea. It is primarily used to treat conditions related to breathing such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Choice D rationale:

An increased heart rate is a potential side effect of levalbuterol, not a therapeutic effect.