A female patient with multiple sclerosis reports less fatigue and improved memory since she started using the herbal supplement, ginkgo biloba.
What is the most important information for the nurse to include in the teaching plan for this patient?

Choice A rationale

Tamsulosin is an alpha-blocker that relaxes the smooth muscles of the prostate and bladder neck, improving urine flow. However, it can also cause hypotension, dizziness, and fainting as adverse effects. Therefore, monitoring blood pressure is essential for clients taking tamsulosin.

Choice B rationale

While assessing the client’s urine output is an important part of monitoring a client with benign prostatic hyperplasia, it is not specifically related to monitoring for adverse reactions to tamsulosin.

Choice C rationale

Performing a bladder scan can be useful in assessing the client’s urinary retention, a common symptom of benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, it is not specifically related to monitoring for adverse reactions to tamsulosin.

Choice D rationale

Obtaining the client’s daily weights can be useful in monitoring fluid balance, but it is not specifically related to monitoring for adverse reactions to tamsulosin.

Choice A rationale

Diarrhea is a common side effect of many medications, including metoclopramide. However, it is not considered a serious adverse effect that would require immediate medical attention.

Choice B rationale

Unusual irritability can be a side effect of metoclopramide, but it is not the most serious adverse effect of this medication. It is important to monitor for changes in mood or behavior, but these changes do not typically require immediate medical intervention.

Choice C rationale

Nausea is actually one of the conditions that metoclopramide is used to treat. If a patient experiences nausea while taking this medication, it may indicate that the medication is not effectively managing the patient’s symptoms, but it is not considered a serious adverse effect.

Choice D rationale

Involuntary movements, also known as tardive dyskinesia, are a serious potential side effect of metoclopramide. This condition is characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements, most often affecting the lower face. Tardive dyskinesia can be irreversible, even after

discontinuation of the medication, and can be debilitating. Therefore, any signs of involuntary movements should be reported to a healthcare provider immediately.