A 19-year-old client has suffered an ankle sprain while training for a half marathon. In addition to elevation and icing the ankle, the healthcare provider prescribed ibuprofen 200 mg po every 4 hours prn. The client tells the nurse that the client usually uses acetaminophen for a headache and questions why the healthcare provider recommended ibuprofen. What is the nurse's best response?
"The ibuprofen works faster."
"Ibuprofen works better than acetaminophen with muscle and bone injuries."
"The healthcare provider can prescribe a high dose of the ibuprofen so it will relieve the pain better."
"The ibuprofen will also reduce the inflammation that is causing swelling, which contributes to pain."
The Correct Answer is D
A. "The ibuprofen works faster.": Onset of action for both oral acetaminophen and ibuprofen is approximately 30 to 60 minutes. There is no significant clinical evidence to suggest that ibuprofen provides faster systemic relief for an acute injury. Speed of onset is not the primary rationale for this specific drug selection.
B. "Ibuprofen works better than acetaminophen with muscle and bone injuries.": This statement is generalized and does not explain the underlying pharmacological mechanism to the client. While true in a practical sense, it lacks the scientific depth required for professional patient education. It does not address the specific pathology of a sprain.
C. "The healthcare provider can prescribe a high dose of the ibuprofen so it will relieve the pain better.": High doses can also be prescribed for acetaminophen, but dosage size does not change the drug's therapeutic class. The efficacy of ibuprofen in this scenario is due to its mechanism of action, not simply the amount administered. This response misleads the client.
D. "The ibuprofen will also reduce the inflammation that is causing swelling, which contributes to pain.": An ankle sprain involves soft tissue trauma that triggers the arachidonic acid cascade and prostaglandin production. Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that inhibits cyclooxygenase enzymes to reduce localized edema. Acetaminophen lacks these significant peripheral anti-inflammatory properties needed for this injury.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Position the client with legs above the heart: Elevation is contraindicated in patients with arterial insufficiency as it further compromises blood flow to the distal extremities. Gravity opposes the limited arterial pressure, worsening tissue ischemia and increasing "rest pain." This positioning would likely enlarge the necrotic area on the toe.
B. Have client sleep with legs in a dependent position: Dangling the legs or placing them in a dependent position utilizes gravity to assist the flow of oxygenated blood to the feet. This physiological maneuver relieves ischemic nocturnal cramping and improves distal perfusion. It is a primary non-pharmacological intervention for symptomatic peripheral artery disease.
C. Encourage more frequent rest periods during the day: While rest is helpful for intermittent claudication, it does not address the acute ischemic pain occurring at night. The client’s current issue is rest pain, which signifies advanced arterial disease. Simply resting more during the day will not improve the nocturnal perfusion deficit described.
D. Administer a prescribed sleeping pill earlier in the evening: A sedative-hypnotic addresses the symptom of insomnia but ignores the underlying pathological cause of the sleep disruption. Masking the pain with medication without improving limb perfusion could allow the arterial ulcer to progress to gangrene. Clinical priority must focus on improving oxygenation.
Correct Answer is ["3"]
Explanation
Dose prescribed /Dose available=Number of capsules
900mg300mg=3
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