The nurse is preparing a discharge teaching plan for a patient who is taking ciprofloxacin hydrochloride tablets due to suspected anthrax exposure.
What instructions should be included in the teaching plan?

Choice A rationale

Codeine is an opioid medication that can cause drowsiness and dizziness. This can increase the risk of falls, particularly in older adults or those with balance or mobility issues. Therefore, it is important to instruct the client to request assistance when ambulating to prevent falls.

Choice B rationale

While constipation is a common side effect of opioid medications like codeine, and a stool softener or laxative may be helpful in managing this side effect, it is not the highest priority nursing action. The risk of falls due to drowsiness or dizziness is a more immediate safety concern.

Choice C rationale

While it is important for the client to notify the nurse if the pain is not relieved, this is not the highest priority nursing action. The safety of the client is the primary concern, and preventing falls by providing assistance with ambulation is a more immediate need.

Choice D rationale

Advising the client that the medication should start to work in about 30 minutes is an important part of patient education, but it is not the highest priority nursing action. The safety of the client is the primary concern, and preventing falls by providing assistance with ambulation is a more immediate need.

Choice A rationale

Tamsulosin is an alpha-blocker that relaxes the smooth muscles of the prostate and bladder neck, improving urine flow. However, it can also cause hypotension, dizziness, and fainting as adverse effects. Therefore, monitoring blood pressure is essential for clients taking tamsulosin.

Choice B rationale

While assessing the client’s urine output is an important part of monitoring a client with benign prostatic hyperplasia, it is not specifically related to monitoring for adverse reactions to tamsulosin.

Choice C rationale

Performing a bladder scan can be useful in assessing the client’s urinary retention, a common symptom of benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, it is not specifically related to monitoring for adverse reactions to tamsulosin.

Choice D rationale

Obtaining the client’s daily weights can be useful in monitoring fluid balance, but it is not specifically related to monitoring for adverse reactions to tamsulosin.