A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who is starting to take carbidopa/levodopa to treat Parkinson’s disease. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice A Reason

Determine the time the last dose of pain medication was administered. While it is important to know when the last dose of pain medication was given, assessing the client’s current pain level is a priority. This helps in understanding the severity and nature of the pain, which guides further interventions.

Choice B Reason

Reposition the client to assist with reduction of pain. Repositioning can help alleviate pain, but it should be done after assessing the pain. Without understanding the pain’s characteristics, repositioning might not address the underlying issue effectively.

Choice C Reason

Ask the client to describe the pain and rate it on a scale of 0 to 10. This is the correct first action. Pain assessment is crucial in determining the appropriate intervention. By asking the client to describe and rate their pain, the nurse can tailor the pain management plan to the client’s specific needs.

Choice D Reason

Check the client’s medical record for type of PRN pain medication. Reviewing the medical record for PRN pain medication is important, but it should follow the initial pain assessment. Knowing the pain’s intensity and characteristics will help in deciding whether PRN medication is needed.

Choice A Reason:

Stress incontinence occurs when urine leaks due to pressure on the bladder from activities such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising. It is typically associated with weakened pelvic floor muscles or urethral sphincter deficiency. However, it does not usually involve a palpable bladder or frequent leakage of small amounts of urine.

Choice B Reason:

Urge incontinence, also known as overactive bladder, is characterized by a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by involuntary loss of urine. This condition is often caused by involuntary bladder contractions. While it involves frequent urination, it does not typically present with a palpable bladder.

Choice C Reason:

Functional incontinence occurs when a person is unable to reach the toilet in time due to physical or mental impairments, such as severe arthritis or dementia. This type of incontinence is not related to bladder function itself and does not involve a palpable bladder.

Choice D Reason:

Overflow incontinence is characterized by the frequent leakage of small amounts of urine due to an overfilled bladder that cannot empty completely. This condition often results in a palpable bladder upon examination, as the bladder remains distended with urine. It is commonly seen in postoperative clients or those with conditions that obstruct urine flow or impair bladder emptying.