The healthcare provider prescribes lactulose for a patient with hepatic encephalopathy. What will the nurse assess to determine the effectiveness of this medication?

Choice A: Topical ointment Topical ointment forms of nitroglycerin are used for their long-acting effects. The medication is absorbed slowly through the skin, providing a steady level of drug in the bloodstream. This form is not designed for rapid relief of acute angina attacks but rather for prevention.

Choice B: Sustained-release Sustained-release forms of nitroglycerin are designed to release the medication slowly over an extended period. This route is also not suitable for treating acute symptoms because it does not provide immediate relief but is used for long-term management of angina pectoris. Nitroglycerin is a medication used primarily to treat angina pectoris (chest pain) and heart failure. It works by relaxing the smooth muscles and dilating the blood vessels, which increases blood flow to the heart and decreases its workload. The route of administration can significantly affect the onset and duration of the medication’s action.

Choice C: Sublingual The sublingual route, where the medication is placed under the tongue, allows for rapid absorption into the bloodstream through the rich supply of blood vessels found in the area. This form of nitroglycerin acts quickly, usually within 1 to 3 minutes, and is the preferred choice for immediate relief of angina pain. When rapid onset is required for relief from acute angina symptoms, the sublingual route is the most appropriate choice for administering nitroglycerin. It provides quick absorption and fast action, making it an essential treatment option for patients experiencing chest pain due to angina.

Choice D: Transdermal patch Transdermal patches release nitroglycerin slowly through the skin and into the bloodstream. Like topical ointments and sustained-release forms, they are used for long-term prophylaxis of angina and not for rapid relief.

Choice A reason: Occasional bubbling in the water-seal chamber can indicate an air leak, which is not necessarily a sign of lung re-expansion. It could suggest that the lung has not fully re-expanded or that there is a persistent air leak.

Choice B reason: While the absence of pleuritic chest pain is a positive sign, it is not a definitive indicator of lung re-expansion. Pleuritic chest pain can subside even if the lung has not fully re-expanded.

Choice C reason: No tidaling in the water-seal chamber is a strong indicator that the lung has re-expanded. When the lung is fully expanded, it presses against the chest wall, eliminating the space where air could collect and thus stopping the water level from fluctuating with respiration.

Choice D reason: An oxygen saturation of 95% is within normal limits and suggests adequate oxygenation, but it does not specifically indicate lung re-expansion. Oxygen saturation can be maintained with supplemental oxygen or other supportive measures even if the lung has not fully re-expanded.