A 19-year-old has been diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea. How ...

[krzymel]

A 19-year-old has been diagnosed with primary dysmenorrhea. How will the nurse suggest that the patient prevent discomfort?
 
  a. Avoid aerobic exercise during her menstrual period.
  b. Use cold packs on the abdomen and back for pain relief.
  c. Talk with her health care provider about beginning antidepressant therapy.
  d. Take nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) when her period starts.

Question 2

A 28-year-old patient reports anxiety, headaches with dizziness, and abdominal bloating occurring before her menstrual periods. Which action is best for the nurse to take at this time?
 
  a. Ask the patient to keep track of her symptoms in a diary for 3 months.
  b. Suggest that the patient try aerobic exercise to decrease her symptoms.
  c. Teach the patient about appropriate lifestyle changes to reduce premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms.
  d. Advise the patient to use nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil) to control symptoms.

[paavo]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
NSAIDs should be started as soon as the menstrual period begins and taken at regular intervals during the usual time frame in which pain occurs. Aerobic exercise may help reduce symptoms. Heat therapy, such as warm packs, is recommended for relief of pain. Antidepressant therapy is not a typical treatment for dysmenorrhea.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
The patient's symptoms indicate possible PMS, but they also may be associated with other diagnoses. Having the patient keep a symptom diary for 2 or 3 months will help in confirming a diagnosis of PMS. The nurse should not implement interventions for PMS until a diagnosis is made.