Prior to administering pain medication to an adult postoperative client, what information should the practical nurse (PN) obtain? (Select all that apply.)

Choice A rationale:

Epinephrine is not typically used to treat nausea. Nausea is usually managed with antiemetic medications.

Choice B rationale:

Epinephrine is not used to treat hand tremors. Hand tremors may be related to various conditions, and their management would depend on the underlying cause.

Choice C rationale:

The correct manifestation that epinephrine can help treat is "Swelling of the lips." Epinephrine is commonly used to treat severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), which can cause swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat. Epinephrine helps to reverse these symptoms by constricting blood vessels and opening the airways.

Choice D rationale:

Epinephrine is not used to treat hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia is managed with insulin or other antidiabetic medications, not epinephrine.

Answer is B: Write the information at an 8th-grade reading level.

This is the best action for the nurse to take because it ensures that the information is accessible and understandable to a wide audience, which is suitable for the general population¹². The other options are not as effective for the following reasons:

- Use a 12-point font size: This is important for readability, but not enough for comprehension. The font size should also match the layout and design of the brochure.
- Explain medical terminology using basic, one-syllable words: This is a good approach, but it does not address the reading level of the content. The nurse should also use simple sentences and avoid jargon.
- Present information from complex to simple: This might be helpful, but it is not the most effective way to educate the public. The nurse should start with the simpler concepts and gradually build on them to explain the more complex aspects of hypertension.