A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with an older adult client who has osteoarthritis. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

c. Instruct the client to stand up slowly.

Explanation:

The correct answer is c. Instruct the client to stand up slowly.

Prazosin is an alpha-1 adrenergic blocker used to treat hypertension and benign prostatic hyperplasia. One of the common side effects of prazosin is orthostatic hypotension, which can cause a drop in blood pressure when changing positions from lying or sitting to standing.

In this scenario, the client's blood pressure is 100/60 mm Hg, which indicates hypotension. To prevent a sudden drop in blood pressure and related symptoms such as dizziness or fainting, the nurse should instruct the client to stand up slowly. This allows the body time to adjust to the change in position and minimizes the risk of orthostatic hypotension.

Option a, administering a reversal agent, is not necessary in this situation. Reversal agents are used to counteract the effects of specific medications when there is a need to rapidly reverse their actions. There is no indication in the scenario that the client requires a reversal agent.

Option b, initiating cardiac monitoring, is not warranted based solely on a blood pressure reading of 100/60 mm Hg. Cardiac monitoring is typically indicated when there are specific cardiac concerns or symptoms, which are not mentioned in the scenario.

Option d, informing the client to report urinary retention, is a potential side effect of prazosin but is not the most appropriate action to take in this situation. The client's blood pressure is the immediate concern, and addressing orthostatic hypotension by instructing the client to stand up slowly is the appropriate action.

By instructing the client to stand up slowly, the nurse promotes safety and minimizes the risk of orthostatic hypotension, allowing the client to adjust to the change in position and reduce the likelihood of experiencing symptoms related to low blood pressure.

a. "The machine is programmed to prevent you from administering more than a safe dose."

When reinforcing teaching about epidural PCA (patient-controlled analgesia) with a client in active labor, it is important for the nurse to inform the client about the safety features of the machine. By explaining that the machine is programmed to prevent the client from administering more than a safe dose, the nurse reassures the client that they have control over their pain relief while minimizing the risk of overdose.

Option b, "During medication administration, you will not be able to move your legs freely," is not an accurate statement regarding epidural PCA. While epidural analgesia may cause temporary weakness or loss of sensation in the lower body, the ability to move the legs freely is not necessarily completely impaired. The degree of mobility can vary depending on the dosage and specific characteristics of the epidural.

Option c, "This method of pain control will shorten the second stage of labor," is not a valid statement. Epidural PCA is primarily used for pain relief during labor and delivery but does not directly affect the progression or duration of the second stage of labor, which involves pushing and the delivery of the baby.

Option d, "This type of anesthesia commonly causes a postpartum headache," is also incorrect. While headaches can occur as a potential side effect of epidural anesthesia, they are not specifically associated with epidural PCA. Postpartum headaches can have various causes and are not exclusively related to the use of epidural PCA.

By emphasizing the safety features of the machine and explaining that it prevents the administration of excessive doses, the nurse ensures that the client understands the appropriate use of the epidural PCA for pain control during labor.