A male client who has been taking a high-dose of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) comes to the clinic reporting gastric pain and blood in his stool. The healthcare provider discontinues the NSAIDs and prescribes esomeprazole. Which information should the nurse include in this client's te’ching plan?
Explanation & Rationale
A) Notify the healthcare provider of the passage of black stools: This is the correct response. Black stools can indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, which is a serious adverse effect of NSAID use. It's im’ortant for the client to report this symptom promptly to the healthcare provider for further evaluation and management. B) Call the clinic if diarrhea or headache occur when taking esomeprazole: While it's im’ortant to report any adverse effects of medication to the healthcare provider, diarrhea and headache are not specific to esomeprazole and may not warrant immediate attention unless severe or persistent. C) Once pain subsides, NSAID therapy can be resumed: This statement is incorrect. The client should avoid NSAIDs in the future, as they are likely the cause of the gastric pain and gastrointestinal bleeding. Resuming NSAID therapy would increase the risk of recurrent bleeding. D) Resume a diet that consists of milk, cream, and bland foods: This statement is incorrect. While bland foods may be easier to tolerate during acute gastric pain, they do not address the underlying issue of gastrointestinal bleeding. Additionally, dairy products like milk and cream may exacerbate symptoms in some individuals.