A patient is receiving Gabapentin (Neurontin), an anticonvulsant, but has no history of seizures. The nurse expects that the patient is receiving this drug for which condition?

Gabapentin (Neurontin) is often used to treat neuropathic pain, including pain associated with peripheral neuropathy. It may also be used to manage other types of chronic pain, such as pain associated with fibromyalgia. While gabapentin is primarily an anticonvulsant medication, it is also used off-label for various other conditions, such as mood disorders and anxiety.

Pin site care is essential to prevent infections and other complications associated with external fixation devices. The nurse should instruct the patient to clean the pin insertion sites daily with a sterile saline solution or as per healthcare provider's instructions. The patient should also observe for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, warmth, and drainage, and report any concerns to the healthcare provider.

Assessing the skin under the foam boot twice daily is not specific to external fixation devices, and it may not be relevant to this patient's care plan. The nurse should focus on teaching the patient about external fixation device care specifically.

Taking prophylactic antibiotics before any dental work for the rest of your life is not relevant to external fixation devices or right lower leg fractures. It is a recommendation for patients with certain heart conditions who may be at risk of developing infective endocarditis during dental procedures.

Removing the external fixator for the shower is not recommended as the device should be kept dry to prevent infections. The nurse should instruct the patient to cover the device with a waterproof dressing or plastic bag during showering to protect it from getting wet.