Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a patient who is taking NSAIDs for arthritis. The patient reports experiencing gastrointestinal irritation after taking the medication.
Which of the following statements by the patient indicates an understanding of the teaching?
Taking NSAIDs on an empty stomach can increase the risk of gastrointestinal irritation and ulcers. The patient should take NSAIDs with food or milk to reduce stomach acid exposure.
Avoiding alcohol while taking NSAIDs is not enough to prevent gastrointestinal irritation. Alcohol can also irritate the stomach lining and increase the risk of bleeding, but it does not eliminate the effect of NSAIDs on COX-1 enzyme.
The patient should report any signs of gastrointestinal bleeding to their healthcare provider. NSAIDs can cause gastrointestinal irritation by blocking COX-1 enzyme, which protects the lining of the stomach from acid. This can lead to ulcers and internal bleeding in some cases. Therefore, the patient should be aware of the symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding, such as black or bloody stools, abdominal pain, or vomiting blood.
Taking NSAIDs with antacids may not prevent gastrointestinal irritation and ulcers. Antacids can neutralize some of the stomach acids, but they do not affect the COX-1 enzyme or the prostaglandins that protect the stomach lining. The patient may need a prescription medication such as a proton pump inhibitor or misoprostol to reduce the risk of NSAID-induced ulcers.
The patient should report any signs of gastrointestinal bleeding to their healthcare provider. NSAIDs can cause gastrointestinal irritation by blocking the COX-1 enzyme, which protects the lining of the stomach from acid. This can lead to ulcers and internal bleeding in some cases. Therefore, the patient should be aware of the symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding, such as black or bloody stools, abdominal pain, or vomiting blood.
Choice A is wrong because taking NSAIDs on an empty stomach can increase the risk of gastrointestinal irritation and ulcers. The patient should take NSAIDs with food or milk to reduce stomach acid exposure.
Choice B is wrong because avoiding alcohol while taking NSAIDs is not enough to prevent gastrointestinal irritation. Alcohol can also irritate the stomach lining and increase the risk of bleeding, but it does not eliminate the effect of NSAIDs on the COX-1 enzyme.
Choice D is wrong because taking NSAIDs with antacids may not prevent gastrointestinal irritation and ulcers. Antacids can neutralize some of the stomach acids, but they do not affect the COX-1 enzyme or the prostaglandins that protect the stomach lining. The patient may need a prescription medication such as a proton pump inhibitor or misoprostol to reduce the risk of NSAID-induced ulcers.