A patient with a migraine took a dose of a prescribed triptan, eletriptan (Relpax), and 1 hour later the headache is still intense. The patient's husband calls the clinic and asks the nurse what they should do
What is an appropriate nursing response? A) "Tell her to lie down in a quiet cool room and just wait it out. It will subside."
B) "She can take another dose of the drug 2 hours after the initial dose if the headache continues."
C) "Give her a dose of an ergot drug if you have it. It will decrease the intensity of the pain."
D) "Ibuprofen may increase the action of the triptan."
B
Feedback:
A patient taking eletriptan to relieve a migraine can take another dose in 2 hours if the headache is not relieved. The combination of ergot drugs with triptans is not indicated because of the vasoconstriction caused by both. The patient will not get relief by "waiting it out." Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory that does not affect the mechanism associated with migraines.
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