The nurse is administering the muscle relaxant baclofen orally to a patient diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. What intervention should the nurse implement?
Advise the patient to move slowly and cautiously when getting up and walking.
Evaluate the patient’s muscle strength every 4 hours.
Monitor the patient’s intake and output every 8 hours.
Ensure the patient understands to stop taking baclofen before using other antispasmodics.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Baclofen is a muscle relaxant used to treat muscle symptoms caused by multiple sclerosis (MS), including spasm, pain, and stiffness. It acts on the central nervous system to relieve spasticity, improving muscle movement and relieving pain from spasticity. One of the common side effects of Baclofen is drowsiness, dizziness, and weakness. Therefore, advising the patient to move slowly and cautiously when getting up and walking is an important nursing intervention to prevent falls and injuries.
Choice B rationale
While evaluating the patient’s muscle strength every 4 hours can provide valuable information about the patient’s response to treatment, it is not the most critical intervention in this context. Baclofen’s primary effect is to relieve spasticity, not necessarily to increase muscle strength.
Choice C rationale
Monitoring the patient’s intake and output every 8 hours is a standard nursing intervention for many patients, but it is not specifically related to the administration of baclofen.
Choice D rationale
While it’s important for patients to understand their medication regimen, including when to stop taking certain medications, baclofen should not be stopped abruptly. Abrupt discontinuation has resulted in serious adverse reactions including death. Therefore, ensuring the patient understands to stop taking baclofen before using other antispasmodics is not the correct intervention.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While nausea and diarrhea can occur when using ginkgo biloba, these are not the most critical side effects to be aware of.
Choice B rationale
Ginkgo biloba should indeed be used with caution during pregnancy due to potential risks. However, this is not the most important information for this patient.
Choice C rationale
Ginkgo biloba can interact with aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, increasing the risk of bleeding. This is crucial information for the patient, especially if they are taking these medications.
Choice D rationale
While anxiety and headaches can increase with the use of ginkgo biloba, these are not the most critical side effects to be aware of.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Tetracycline should not be consumed with milk or antacids. These substances contain calcium, which can bind to tetracycline in the stomach and reduce its absorption and effectiveness.
Choice B rationale
Tetracycline can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, increasing the risk of sunburn. Patients should be advised to protect their skin from sunlight while taking this medication.
Choice C rationale
Taking tetracycline with orange juice is not recommended. Citrus fruits and juices contain calcium, which can bind to tetracycline in the stomach and reduce its absorption and effectiveness.
Choice D rationale
Returning to the clinic weekly for serum drug level checks is not typically necessary for patients taking tetracycline. While regular follow-up appointments may be needed to monitor the patient’s response to treatment, weekly serum drug level checks are not a standard part of tetracycline therapy.
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