A nurse is providing teaching about nifedipine for a client who is at 34 weeks of gestation and has gestational hypertension.
For which of the following adverse effects should the nurse instruct the client to notify the provider?

B. "You may experience a headache after receiving this medication."

• Some tocolytic medications can cause headaches as a side effect.

C. "It is common for this medication to make you feel jittery."

• Tocolytic medications, such as terbutaline, can cause nervousness or jitteriness.

D. "This medication should decrease your contractions."

• The primary purpose of tocolytic medication is to decrease uterine contractions and delay preterm labor.

E. "I'll check your reflexes frequently while you are receiving this medication."

• Some tocolytic medications, like magnesium sulfate, require monitoring of deep tendon reflexes to assess for potential toxicity.

F. "This medication can make your heart beat faster."

• Tocolytic medications, such as terbutaline, can increase heart rate.

These statements provide the client with a comprehensive understanding of the purpose of the medication and its potential side effects.

The incorrect statements are:

• A. "I will inject this medication under your skin.": Tocolytic medications are typically administered orally, intravenously, or intramuscularly, not subcutaneously.
• G. "This medication can increase your blood pressure.": Some tocolytic medications, like magnesium sulfate, can actually lower blood pressure rather than increase it.

Choice A rationale

A positive finding for galactosemia, not PKU, indicates the inability to metabolize galactose. Galactosemia is a different metabolic disorder that requires a separate dietary intervention.

Choice B rationale

A positive PKU test does not indicate slow metabolism. Instead, it signifies the inability to metabolize phenylalanine, an amino acid.

Choice C rationale

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic disorder that leads to the inability to break down the amino acid phenylalanine. Without proper management, it can accumulate in the body and cause brain damage and other health issues.

Choice D rationale

A positive PKU test is not directly linked to an increased risk for neurological anomalies in general. The specific issue in PKU is the inability to metabolize certain amino acids, primarily phenylalanine, which can cause neurological damage if untreated. .