The nurse is administering the muscle relaxant baclofen orally to a patient diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. What intervention should the nurse implement?

Advise the patient to move slowly and cautiously when getting up and walking.

Evaluate the patient’s muscle strength every 4 hours.

Monitor the patient’s intake and output every 8 hours.

Ensure the patient understands to stop taking baclofen before using other antispasmodics.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A rationale

Baclofen is a muscle relaxant used to treat muscle symptoms caused by multiple sclerosis (MS), including spasm, pain, and stiffness. It acts on the central nervous system to relieve spasticity, improving muscle movement and relieving pain from spasticity. One of the common side effects of Baclofen is drowsiness, dizziness, and weakness. Therefore, advising the patient to move slowly and cautiously when getting up and walking is an important nursing intervention to prevent falls and injuries.

Choice B rationale

While evaluating the patient’s muscle strength every 4 hours can provide valuable information about the patient’s response to treatment, it is not the most critical intervention in this context. Baclofen’s primary effect is to relieve spasticity, not necessarily to increase muscle strength.

Choice C rationale

Monitoring the patient’s intake and output every 8 hours is a standard nursing intervention for many patients, but it is not specifically related to the administration of baclofen.

Choice D rationale

While it’s important for patients to understand their medication regimen, including when to stop taking certain medications, baclofen should not be stopped abruptly. Abrupt discontinuation has resulted in serious adverse reactions including death. Therefore, ensuring the patient understands to stop taking baclofen before using other antispasmodics is not the correct intervention.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale

While a family history of mental illness is important information to obtain when planning care for a client with major depression, it is not the most important information when the client is receiving a new prescription for duloxetine. Family history can provide insight into the client’s risk factors for depression, but it does not directly impact the safety or efficacy of duloxetine.

Choice B rationale

Weight change in the last month is not the most important information to obtain when planning care for a client with major depression who is receiving a new prescription for duloxetine. While significant weight changes can be a symptom of depression and should be monitored, they do not directly impact the safety or efficacy of duloxetine.

Choice C rationale

Liver function laboratory results are the most important information to obtain when planning care for a client with major depression who is receiving a new prescription for duloxetine.

Duloxetine is metabolized in the liver, and abnormal liver function can affect the metabolism and elimination of the drug, potentially leading to increased side effects or decreased effectiveness. Therefore, it is crucial to assess liver function before and during treatment with duloxetine.

Choice D rationale

While recent use of other antidepressants is important information to obtain when planning care for a client with major depression who is receiving a new prescription for duloxetine, it is not the most important information. This information can help prevent drug interactions and serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition. However, liver function has a more direct impact on the safety and efficacy of duloxetine.

A. Decrease cigarette use to a pack per day. B. Notify the healthcare provider of lethargy. C. Take the medication an hour after antacids. D. Monitor for any signs of sexual dysfunction.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Decreasing cigarette use to a pack per day is not enough. Smoking can increase stomach acid and reduce the ability of the stomach lining to resist acid, thus aggravating peptic ulcer disease. Therefore, the patient should be advised to quit smoking entirely.

Choice B rationale

Lethargy could be a side effect of cimetidine. It’s important for the patient to notify the healthcare provider if they experience this, as it could indicate a need to adjust the medication.

Choice C rationale

Cimetidine should be taken with or immediately following meals for best absorption. If antacids are used, they should be taken at least one hour apart from cimetidine. Therefore, taking the medication an hour after antacids is incorrect and indicates the need for further instruction.

Choice D rationale

Sexual dysfunction is a rare but possible side effect of cimetidine. Patients should be advised to monitor for this and report any issues to their healthcare provider.

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The nurse is administering the muscle relaxant baclofen orally to a patient diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. What intervention should the nurse implement?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is planning care for a client with major depression who is receiving a new prescription for duloxetine. What information is most important for the nurse to obtain?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A patient with peptic ulcer disease has been prescribed cimetidine.Which statement made by the patient indicates the need for further instruction by the nurse?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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