The nurse administers atenolol 50 mg PO bid to a client who has coronary artery disease. The nurse understands that the therapeutic effect of this medication for this client is to:

Choice A reason: The client requires additional teaching if they state that they can have aspirin for pain after the bone marrow aspiration. Aspirin is a drug that inhibits platelet aggregation and increases the risk of bleeding. ¹ The client should avoid aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for at least 48 hours after the procedure. ² The client should use acetaminophen or another pain reliever that does not affect blood clotting.

Choice B reason: The client does not require additional teaching if they state that the nurse will check the puncture site at least every 4 hours after the procedure. This is a correct statement, as the nurse should monitor the site for signs of bleeding, infection, or hematoma. ² The nurse should also apply pressure and a sterile dressing to the site and instruct the client to keep it dry and clean for 24 hours.

Choice C reason: The client does not require additional teaching if they state that they will have some pain that is similar to a toothache. This is a correct statement, as the client may experience mild to moderate pain at the site of the aspiration, which may radiate to the hip or back. ² The pain usually subsides within a few hours or days.

Choice D reason: The client does not require additional teaching if they state that they understand that this is a sterile procedure. This is a correct statement, as the bone marrow aspiration is performed under sterile conditions to prevent infection. ² The nurse should wear gloves, gown, mask, and eye protection and use a sterile needle, syringe, and antiseptic solution.

Choice A reason: Avoiding strenuous activity and standing up slowly is not a relevant response to the client's complaint of headache. These actions may help prevent or reduce orthostatic hypotension, which is another possible side effect of nitroglycerin, but not headache.

Choice B reason: Headache is expected and should subside with continued use is a correct and appropriate response to the client's complaint of headache. The nurse should explain that headache is a common and transient side effect of nitroglycerin, which is caused by the vasodilation effect of the drug. The nurse should also advise the client to take over-the-counter analgesics, such as acetaminophen, to relieve the headache.

Choice C reason: Reducing the dosage to help relieve this side effect is not a correct or appropriate response to the client's complaint of headache. The nurse should not suggest any changes in the prescribed dosage of nitroglycerin, as this may compromise the effectiveness of the drug and increase the risk of angina or myocardial infarction. The nurse should also remind the client to follow the instructions for applying and removing the Nitropatch.

Choice D reason: You will have this side effect as long as you are taking nitroglycerin is not a correct or appropriate response to the client's complaint of headache. The nurse should not discourage or alarm the client by implying that the headache is inevitable and permanent. The nurse should reassure the client that the headache will likely diminish over time as the body adapts to the drug.