The client receives interferon alfa-2b (Intron-A). The client tells the nurse that he gets very sleepy and thirsty every time he takes the medication. What is the best assessment question for the nurse to ask?

Question

1. "Are you consuming at least eight glasses of water daily?"
2. "Are you including beverages with alcohol in your diet?"
3. "Have you had any flu symptoms lately?"
4. "How much time have you spent out in the sun?"

Answer 1

2
Rationale 1: There is no indication to drink eight glasses of water daily when taking immunostimulants.
Rationale 2: Combining immunostimulants with ethanol can result in excessive drowsiness and dehydration.
Rationale 3: While flu-like symptoms are common with immunostimulants, this question does not address the client complaint as well as another option.
Rationale 4: There is no indication that sun exposure would result in these symptoms in a client taking an immunostimulant.
Global Rationale: Combining immunostimulants with ethanol can result in excessive drowsiness and dehydration. There is no indication to drink eight glasses of water daily when taking immunostimulants. While flu-like symptoms are common with immunostimulants, this question does not address the client complaint as well as another option. There is no indication that sun exposure would result in these symptoms in a client taking an immunostimulant.