Author Question: A patient with a migraine took a dose of a prescribed triptan, eletriptan (Relpax), and 1 hour later ... (Read 58 times)

Kikoku · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A patient with a migraine took a dose of a prescribed triptan, eletriptan (Relpax), and 1 hour later the headache is still intense. The patient's husband calls the clinic and asks the nurse what they should do.

What is an appropriate nursing response? A) Tell her to lie down in a quiet cool room and just wait it out. It will subside.
B) She can take another dose of the drug 2 hours after the initial dose if the headache continues.
C) Give her a dose of an ergot drug if you have it. It will decrease the intensity of the pain.
D) Ibuprofen may increase the action of the triptan.

Question 2

A patient tells the nurse that a friend has recommended the use of caffeine to treat the patient's asthma. The nurse counsels the patient to begin treatment immediately with the prescribed medication for what reason?

A) Caffeine can aggravate the drugs used to treat asthma.
B) Most natural products are less toxic or more potent than traditional asthma medications.
C) Natural products decrease the adverse effects associated with adrenergic bronchodilators.
D) Delays in appropriate treatment can have serious, even fatal, consequences.

pami445 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

B
Feedback:
A patient taking eletriptan to relieve a migraine can take another dose in 2 hours if the headache is not relieved. The combination of ergot drugs with triptans is not indicated because of the vasoconstriction caused by both. The patient will not get relief by waiting it out. Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory that does not affect the mechanism associated with migraines.

Answer to Question 2

D
Feedback:
The xanthines, including caffeine and theophylline, come from a variety of naturally occurring sources. These drugs were formerly the main treatment choices for asthma and bronchospasm. However, because they have a relatively narrow margin of safety, and they interact with many other drugs, they are no longer considered the first-choice bronchodilators. Delays in appropriate treatment can have serious, even fatal, consequences. Natural products do not decrease the adverse effects associated with adrenergic bronchodilators. Natural products have not been proven to be less toxic or more potent than prescribed asthma medications. Caffeine does not aggravate drugs used to treat asthma, but it can have an additive effect.