A nurse is providing teaching for a client who has a fracture of the right fibula with a shortleg cast in place and a new prescription for crutches. The client is non-weight-bearing for 6 weeks. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

• Out of the provided options, the most important information for the nurse to include in the change-of-shift report is:

  c. The time of the client's last dose of pain medication

  Here's why:

• a. The frequency in which the client presses the call button:While this could be relevant to assess the client's overall well-being or potential anxiety, it's not as crucial as pain management in this specific scenario.
• b. The client's most recent ventilator settings:Since the client is already weaned from ventilation, this information is no longer pertinent.
• d. The last time the provider evaluated the client:While provider updates are important, especially after major procedures like a pneumonectomy, knowing the exact timing isn't as critical as pain management, especially considering the potential for increased pain after surgery and weaning from ventilation.
• c. The time of the client's last dose of pain medication:Pain management is paramount after a pneumonectomy. Knowing the timing of the last dose allows the receiving nurse to assess the need for further medication and potential for breakthrough pain management. Additionally, it provides a baseline for monitoring pain trends and potential complications related to pain, such as decreased mobility or respiratory compromise.

• Therefore, while all the information listed could be relevant at some point, knowing the time of the last pain medication dose is the most crucial for immediate patient care and should be prioritized in the change-of-shift report for a post-pneumonectomy client transitioning from ICU to the medical floor.

"Have you had any stomach pain or bloody stools?"

Rationale:

• A. Muscle stiffness is not a common or serious adverse effect of ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is an antiinflammatory drug that can reduce pain and stiffness caused by arthritis.
• B. Stomach pain or bloody stools are signs of gastrointestinal bleeding, which is a serious and potentially fatal adverse effect of ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can cause ulceration, perforation, and hemorrhage of the stomach or intestines . The nurse should ask the client about any gastrointestinal symptoms and advise them to avoid alcohol, smoking, and other NSAIDs while taking ibuprofen.
• C. Dry cough is not a common or serious adverse effect of ibuprofen. Dry cough is more likely to be caused by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which are used to treat hypertension and heart failure.
• D. Increase in urine output is not a common or serious adverse effect of ibuprofen. Ibuprofen can cause renal impairment, which can lead to decreased urine output, not increased urine output. The nurse should monitor the client's renal function tests and fluid balance while taking ibuprofen.