Which is the safest sleep aid for the elderly patient with insomnia?

Choice A reason: This is an incorrect choice because suggesting having warm milk with a shot of whisky before going to bed is not an appropriate intervention to treat ongoing insomnia for a middle-aged adult with a busy career. Warm milk may have some soothing effects on the patient, but adding whisky to it may counteract the benefits and worsen the insomnia. Alcohol is a depressant that can make the patient feel sleepy at first, but it can also disrupt the sleep cycle and cause frequent awakenings, nightmares, or hangovers.

Choice B reason: This is an incorrect choice because obtaining a prescription for zolpidem to be taken at bedtime is not an appropriate intervention to treat ongoing insomnia for a middle-aged adult with a busy career. Zolpidem is a hypnotic drug that can induce sleep and improve the sleep quality and quantity of the patient, but it can also have many side effects and interactions, and cause dependence, tolerance, or withdrawal. Zolpidem should be used only as a short-term treatment for insomnia, and only under the supervision of a physician.

Choice C reason: This is an incorrect choice because recommending the use of sleep aids such as triazolam is not an appropriate intervention to treat ongoing insomnia for a middle-aged adult with a busy career. Triazolam is a benzodiazepine drug that can enhance the activity of GABA, a neurotransmitter that inhibits brain activity and promotes sleep. However, it can also have many side effects and interactions, and cause dependence, tolerance, or withdrawal. Triazolam should be used only as a short-term treatment for insomnia, and only under the supervision of a physician.

Choice D reason: This is the correct choice because encouraging the patient to practice peaceful meditation before bedtime is an appropriate intervention to treat ongoing insomnia for a middle-aged adult with a busy career. Meditation is a relaxation technique that can reduce stress, anxiety, and negative emotions, and promote calmness, mindfulness, and well-being. Meditation can help the patient to fall asleep faster and sleep better, and it does not have any adverse effects or risks. The nurse should teach the patient how to meditate and encourage the patient to practice it regularly.

Choice A reason: This is incorrect. Hydromorphone 0.5 mg IV is not the best option for providing consistent control of the patient's chronic pain. Hydromorphone is a potent opioid analgesic that can relieve severe pain, but it has a short duration of action. It is given intravenously, which means it has a rapid onset and peak, but also a rapid decline and elimination. The patient may experience fluctuations in pain relief and need frequent doses.

Choice B reason: This is correct. Fentanyl transdermal patch 25 mcg is the best option for providing consistent control of the patient's chronic pain. Fentanyl is a potent opioid analgesic that can relieve severe pain, but it has a long duration of action. It is given transdermally, which means it is absorbed through the skin and released slowly and steadily into the bloodstream. The patient may experience continuous and stable pain relief and need less frequent doses.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect. Fentanyl oral lozenge 200 mcg is not the best option for providing consistent control of the patient's chronic pain. Fentanyl is a potent opioid analgesic that can relieve severe pain, but it has a short duration of action. It is given orally, which means it has to pass through the digestive system and the liver before reaching the bloodstream. The patient may experience delayed and variable pain relief and need frequent doses.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect. Morphine sulfate liquid 10 mg is not the best option for providing consistent control of the patient's chronic pain. Morphine is a moderate opioid analgesic that can relieve moderate to severe pain, but it has a short duration of action. It is given orally, which means it has to pass through the digestive system and the liver before reaching the bloodstream. The patient may experience delayed and variable pain relief and need frequent doses.