A client is receiving pain medications as needed. Which of the following interventions are important following the administration of pain medication? (Select all that apply)

Choice A reason: Pain of 4/10 indicates a need for analgesia, and ibuprofen is appropriate for mild to moderate pain. This does not warrant holding the medication, as it aligns with the drug’s therapeutic purpose.

Choice B reason: Respiratory depression from opioids is unrelated to ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). While concerning, it does not contraindicate ibuprofen administration, though it requires separate intervention for opioid toxicity.

Choice C reason: A bowel movement 2 days ago suggests mild constipation, not a contraindication for ibuprofen. While NSAIDs can cause gastrointestinal irritation, this finding alone does not justify holding the medication without further symptoms.

Choice D reason: A history of gastric ulcer is a contraindication for ibuprofen, an NSAID that inhibits prostaglandins, reducing gastric mucosal protection. This increases the risk of ulcer reactivation or bleeding, necessitating withholding the medication.

Choice A reason: This statement is incorrect. Peripheral neuropathy in diabetes impairs sensory nerve function, reducing pain perception. Shoes don’t block pain or aid adaptation but act as a physical barrier to prevent injury. Misrepresenting neuropathy’s sensory loss could lead to inadequate patient education, increasing risks of undetected injuries like cuts or infections.

Choice B reason: The concept of “neurological gates” opening with shoes is scientifically inaccurate. Gate control theory explains pain modulation via spinal cord pathways, not footwear. Shoes protect feet mechanically, not neurologically. This misstatement fails to address neuropathy’s sensory deficits, which heighten injury risk without protective footwear, misleading patient education.

Choice C reason: This is correct. Peripheral neuropathy diminishes sensation, so patients may not feel injuries like cuts or punctures. Shoes provide a protective barrier, preventing trauma to insensate feet. This reduces risks of infections or ulcers, critical in diabetic foot care due to impaired healing and increased susceptibility to complications.

Choice D reason: Shoes don’t inherently provide nonpharmacological pain relief for neuropathy. While they may reduce discomfort from pressure or injury, their primary role is injury prevention. Neuropathic pain requires specific treatments like gabapentin or physical therapy, not shoes, which primarily address mechanical protection rather than pain modulation.