Author Question: A 27-year-old female patient comes to the clinic with complaints of increasingly frequent migraines. ... (Read 60 times)

AEWBW · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A 27-year-old female patient comes to the clinic with complaints of increasingly frequent migraines.

The patient has been taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for previous migraines but states that they are not as effective as they once were. The patient is prescribed ergotamine with a first dose now. What action should the nurse take?
a. Ask the patient if she is pregnant or thinks she may be pregnant.
b. Instruct the patient to take the medication with food.
c. Instruct the patient to avoid the concurrent use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
d. Have the laboratory draw blood for a complete blood count.

Question 2

A nurse is teaching a class on migraine headaches. The class is discussing ergotamine. One of the participants in the class asks the nurse why ergotamine is coupled with caffeine.

Which of the following statements is most appropriate for the nurse to give?
a. Caffeine is used to counteract the fatigue caused by ergotamine.
b. Caffeine is given with ergotamine to suppress emesis.
c. Caffeine enhances vasoconstriction and ergotamine absorption.
d. Caffeine potentiates the analgesic effects of ergotamine.

Brenm · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Ergotamine should not be taken during pregnancy because it promotes uterine contractions, which can cause fetal harm or spontaneous abortion.
Ergotamine may be taken with or without food.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are not contraindicated with ergotamine.
Ergotamine is not contraindicated for patients with abnormal complete blood count results. It is contraindicated in patients with renal and hepatic impairment.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Caffeine is present to enhance vasoconstriction and ergotamine absorption, thus enhancing migraine pain relief.
Caffeine, in conjunction with ergotamine, does not counteract fatigue.
Caffeine, in conjunction with ergotamine, does not suppress emesis.
Caffeine does enhance ergotamine absorption but does not potentiate the analgesic effects.