A patient is being admitted to the unit with suspected herpes simplex virus encephalitis. What nursing action best addresses the patient’s complaints of headache?

The correct answer is: = b. Prostaglandins

Choice A: Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: These medications can be used for glaucoma, but they are not typically the first-line treatment due to potential side effects.

Choice B: Prostaglandins (Correct Answer) These are often the preferred initial medication for glaucoma because they are effective at lowering eye pressure, have minimal systemic side effects, and are typically used once daily.

Choice C: Alpha-agonists: These medications can be used as an adjunct to other glaucoma medications but are not usually the first choice due to potential side effects like dry mouth and fatigue.

Choice D: Beta-blockers: While once a common first-line treatment, beta-blockers have been largely replaced by prostaglandins due to potential side effects like slowed heart rate and worsened breathing problems.

Choice A rationale
Postoperative delirium is a common condition that can occur in older patients after surgery, especially major procedures like hip arthroplasty. It is characterized by a sudden onset of confusion and altered consciousness. This type of delirium is indeed treatable and most patients’ cognition will return to its previous levels. The treatment often involves addressing the underlying causes, such as pain, medication effects, or metabolic imbalances, and providing supportive care. It’s important for the family to understand that this is a temporary condition and does not indicate a permanent change in their loved one’s mental status.
Choice B rationale
While anesthetics can contribute to postoperative delirium, the condition is usually multifactorial and not solely due to the anesthetic used in surgery. Therefore, administering antidotes to the anesthetic is not typically how postoperative delirium is managed. Instead, the focus is on treating the underlying causes and providing supportive care.
Choice C rationale

Delirium does involve a disturbance in cognition, including memory impairment, but it does not involve a progressive decline in memory loss and overall cognitive function. That description is more characteristic of dementia, a different condition. Delirium is typically a temporary condition that improves once the underlying cause is addressed.
Choice D rationale
While postoperative delirium is often self-limiting, meaning it resolves on its own over time, it is not accurate to say there is nothing to worry about. Postoperative delirium can be distressing for the patient and their family, and in some cases, it can be associated with longer hospital stays and increased morbidity. Therefore, it is a condition that should be taken seriously and managed appropriately.