The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client who has been prescribed gabapentin 300 mg by mouth (PO) three times a day for postherpetic neuralgia. Which symptom should the nurse tell the client to report to the healthcare provider?

Choice A Reason:

Accommodation refers to the eye’s ability to change the shape of the lens to focus on objects at different distances. Mydriatic eye drops primarily affect the muscles that control the pupil size, not the lens. While accommodation might be slightly affected due to the dilation, it is not the primary function impacted by mydriatics.

Choice B Reason:

Refraction is the bending of light as it passes through the lens of the eye to focus on the retina. Mydriatic eye drops do not directly affect the refractive properties of the eye. The primary purpose of these drops is to dilate the pupil, which does not significantly alter the eye’s refractive ability.

Choice C Reason:

Eye convergence is the simultaneous inward movement of both eyes toward each other to maintain single binocular vision when viewing an object. Mydriatic eye drops do not directly interfere with the muscles responsible for eye convergence. Therefore, this function remains largely unaffected during the therapeutic period.

Choice D Reason:

Pupillary constriction is the narrowing of the pupil, which is controlled by the sphincter pupillae muscle. Mydriatic eye drops cause the pupil to dilate by relaxing this muscle, thereby preventing pupillary constriction. This is the primary function that will not respond during the therapeutic period after administration of mydriatic eye drops.

Choice A reason:

Administering iodine one hour before PTU is recommended because iodine can help reduce the thyroid hormone levels more effectively when given before PTU. This sequence ensures that the iodine is absorbed and utilized by the thyroid gland before PTU inhibits the synthesis of new thyroid hormones.

Choice B reason:

Scheduling both medications at bedtime is not appropriate. PTU and iodine solutions should be administered at specific times to maximize their effectiveness. PTU is typically given in divided doses throughout the day, while iodine solutions are often given before meals.

Choice C reason:

Administering both drugs together with a meal is incorrect. PTU should be taken on an empty stomach to ensure proper absorption, and iodine solutions are usually given before meals.

Choice D reason:

Giving a parenteral dose once every 24 hours is not applicable for these medications. PTU is administered orally in divided doses, and iodine solutions are also given orally.