The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a client with costochondritis who is now experiencing increased discomfort in breathing. The client receives a prescription for meloxicam. Which intervention should the PN include in the client’s POC?

Choice A reason: Range of motion assesses muscle relaxant effectiveness, as these drugs, like cyclobenzaprine, reduce muscle spasms by acting on the central nervous system, relieving pain and improving mobility. Increased leg movement indicates reduced spasm and pain, directly reflecting the drug’s therapeutic action.

Choice B reason: Capillary refill evaluates perfusion, not muscle relaxation. Muscle relaxants target spasms, not vascular status. While pain may indirectly affect circulation, capillary refill does not measure the drug’s primary effect on muscle function, making this choice irrelevant.

Choice C reason: Dependent edema reflects fluid status, not muscle relaxant efficacy. These drugs reduce muscle tension, not swelling. Edema is unrelated to leg pain from spasms, and muscle relaxants do not affect fluid dynamics, making this choice inappropriate for assessment.

Choice D reason: Skin temperature may indicate inflammation or circulation but is not specific to muscle relaxant effects. These drugs alleviate spasms, improving mobility, not temperature. Range of motion directly measures spasm relief, making this choice less relevant for evaluating the medication’s impact.

Choice A reason: Polyethylene glycol, a bowel prep for colonoscopy, requires rapid drinking at specified intervals to ensure effective colon cleansing. This osmotic laxative draws water into the bowel, promoting evacuation. Consistent, rapid intake ensures complete bowel clearance, critical for clear visualization during the procedure.

Choice B reason: Diluting polyethylene glycol with fruit juice is incorrect, as it may alter the solution’s osmotic balance, reducing efficacy. The preparation must remain undiluted to draw sufficient water into the colon for cleansing, making this instruction inappropriate for achieving a clear colonoscopy.

Choice C reason: Drinking polyethylene glycol with a meal is incorrect, as food can interfere with bowel cleansing. The solution is taken on an empty stomach, typically the day before the exam, to ensure the colon is clear, making this instruction counterproductive to the prep’s purpose.

Choice D reason: Watery diarrhea is the expected outcome of polyethylene glycol, not an adverse effect requiring reporting. It indicates effective bowel cleansing for colonoscopy. Instructing to report this normal response is unnecessary and may cause confusion, as diarrhea is the goal of the preparation.