A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for oxycodone. Which of the following medications should the nurse remind the client to take regularly to prevent a common adverse effect of oxycodone?

Opioid analgesics are commonly prescribed for moderate to severe pain, especially in postoperative or acute pain settings. However, they are associated with several predictable adverse effects due to their action on the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. One of the most common and persistent side effects is constipation caused by decreased gastrointestinal motility. Preventive management is an important part of nursing care to improve patient comfort and adherence to therapy. Rationale: A. Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine used for anxiety, sedation, and seizure control. It has no role in preventing opioid-induced constipation and may actually increase sedation and respiratory depression when combined with opioids. Therefore, it is not appropriate for managing oxycodone side effects. B. Docusate sodium is a stool softener that helps prevent and treat opioid-induced constipation by increasing water penetration into the stool, making it easier to pass. Since oxycodone slows intestinal motility, prophylactic use of stool softeners is commonly recommended to prevent constipation before it becomes severe. C. Ranitidine is a histamine-2 receptor antagonist used to reduce gastric acid secretion in conditions such as GERD or peptic ulcer disease. It does not address gastrointestinal motility issues caused by opioids and is not effective in preventing constipation related to oxycodone use. D. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant and neuropathic pain agent used for conditions such as neuropathy and seizure disorders. It does not prevent or treat opioid-induced constipation and is unrelated to gastrointestinal side effects of oxycodone. In some cases, it may increase sedation when combined with opioids.