Author Question: A woman with moderate migraine headaches asks a nurse why the provider has ordered metoclopramide ... (Read 57 times)

roselinechinyere27m · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A woman with moderate migraine headaches asks a nurse why the provider has ordered metoclopramide (Reglan) as an adjunct to aspirin therapy, because she does not usually experience nausea and vomiting with her migraines.

The nurse will tell her that the metoclopramide is used to:
a. help induce sleep.
b. improve absorption of the aspirin.
c. prevent gastric irritation caused by the aspirin.
d. prolong the effects of the aspirin.

Question 2

A patient who has occasional migraine headaches tells a nurse that the abortive medication works well, but she would like to do more to prevent the occurrence of these headaches. The nurse will suggest that the patient:

a. ask the provider about an adjunct medication, such as prochlorperazine.
b. discuss the use of prophylactic medications with the provider.
c. keep a headache diary to help determine possible triggers.
d. take the abortive medication regularly instead of PRN.

blazinlyss · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Besides reducing nausea and vomiting, metoclopramide also reverses gastric stasis and improves absorption of oral antimigraine drugs. It is not used to induce sleep. It does not prevent gastric irritation or prolong the effects of the aspirin.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Keeping a headache diary to try to identify triggers to migraines can be helpful when a patient is trying to prevent them and is the first step in managing headaches. Prochlorperazine is an antiemetic and does not prevent or abort migraine headaches. Prophylactic medications are used when headaches are more frequent. To prevent medication overuse headache, abortive medications should not be used more than 1 to 2 days at a time.