A young woman with migraine headaches who has recently begun taking sumatriptan [Imitrex] calls the nurse to report a sensation of chest and arm heaviness. The nurse questions the patient and determines that she feels pressure and not pain
What will the nurse do? a. Ask the patient about any history of hypertension or coronary artery disease.
b. Determine whether the patient might be pregnant.
c. Reassure the patient that this is a transient, reversible side effect of sumatriptan.
d. Tell the patient to stop taking the medica-tion immediately.
C
Some patients taking sumatriptan experience unpleasant chest symptoms, usually described as "heavy arms" or "chest pressure." These symptoms are transient and are not related to heart dis-ease. Patients experiencing angina-like pain when taking sumatriptan, as a result of coronary va-sospasm, should be asked about hypertension or coronary artery disease (CAD); they should not take sumatriptan if they have a history of either of these. The symptoms this patient describes are not characteristic of pregnancy. There is no need to stop taking the medication.
You might also like to view...
A nurse is caring for a patient with Paget's disease and is reviewing the patient's most recent laboratory values. Which of the following values is most characteristic of Paget's disease?
A) An elevated level of parathyroid hormone and low calcitonin levels B) A low serum alkaline phosphatase level and a low serum calcium level C) An elevated serum alkaline phosphatase level and a normal serum calcium level D) An elevated calcitonin level and low levels of parathyroid hormone
A 32-year-old female client complains of severe abdominal pain each month before her menstrual period, painful intercourse, and painful defecation. Which additional history should the nurse obtain that is consistent with the client's complaints?
A) Frequent urinary tract infections. B) Inability to get pregnant. C) Premenstrual syndrome. D) Chronic use of laxatives.
If the patient has recently had a cast removed, the weight will not be significantly different from the most recent previous weight.
Answer the following statement true (T) or false (F)
When the nurse begins teaching about the benefits of early mobilization following surgery, Ms. Jackson states, "Oh I know if i stay in bed very long I will get bedsores. How should the nurse respond?
a. Getting a bedsore is very serious. Sometimes people die from infected bedsores b. The nurses will make sure you don't stay in bed long enough to get bedsores c. Bedsores are one of many problems that can occur from prolonged bedrest d. Those are now called pressure ulcers because they are caused by pressure