An older adult client with rheumatoid arthritis has been taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for the past 5 years. While waiting to see the rheumatologist, she tells the nurse that she thinks she may be developing an ulcer. Why does the nurse regard this information as important to report to the treating health care practitioner?

Question

a. Older adults are particularly susceptible to side effects from NSAIDs, and any signs or symptoms of GI bleeding need to be reported without delay.
b. The client may be attention seeking, and her medication may need to be reevaluated based on actual symptoms.
c. The client may not be taking the medication as prescribed
d. The client may be experiencing delusions.

Answer 1

a. Older adults are particularly susceptible to side effects from NSAIDs, and any signs or symptoms of GI bleeding need to be reported without delay.
FEEDBACK:
a. Signs and symptoms of GI bleeding need to be reported without delay because most reports of fatal GI events are in the debilitated or older adult population.
b. Since NSAIDs have the potential side effect of causing GI bleeding, it is not likely that this client is attention seeking. .
c. It should not be assumed that the client is taking the medication improperly. .
d. It should not be assumed that the client is delusional. .