What information should the nurse include in a teaching plan for a patient who is being discharged home after knee surgery with a prescription for hydrocodone? Select All That Apply

A. "I will avoid foods high in fat." - This is a correct statement. High-fat foods can contribute to the symptoms of GERD.

B. "I will eat small frequent meals and have a snack at bedtime." - This is a correct statement. Eating smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding large meals before bedtime can help manage GERD symptoms.

C. "Orange juice may aggravate my symptoms." - This is a correct statement. Citrus juices, including orange juice, are acidic and can worsen GERD symptoms.

D. "I will wait 2 hours after eating lunch before lying down for a nap." - This is a correct statement. Waiting a few hours after eating before lying down can help prevent stomach contents from refluxing into the esophagus.

A. Decreased ascites

Ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity) is more directly related to portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis. While lactulose may contribute to fluid balance, its primary therapeutic effect in hepatic encephalopathy is the reduction of ammonia levels.

B. Decreased ammonia level

Lactulose is a medication commonly used in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy, a condition associated with liver disease. The therapeutic effect of lactulose in this context is to reduce blood ammonia levels. Lactulose works by promoting the excretion of ammonia in the form of ammonium ions in the colon, thereby lowering ammonia concentrations in the blood.

C. Decreased jaundice

Jaundice is often associated with liver dysfunction, but lactulose is not primarily used to address jaundice. Its primary role in liver disease is in the management of hepatic encephalopathy.

D. Decreased blood pressure

Blood pressure is not a direct therapeutic target of lactulose in the context of liver disease. Lactulose's primary therapeutic effect is related to reducing ammonia levels and managing hepatic encephalopathy.