The Principles of Anticonvulsant Therapy.
The Principles of Anticonvulsant Therapy. ( 4 Questions)
A nurse is evaluating the response of a client who is receiving gabapentin (Neurontin) for neuropathic pain. The nurse should assess the client for which outcome?
The nurse should evaluate the response of the client who is receiving gabapentin (Neurontin) for neuropathic pain by measuring the frequency and intensity of pain using a valid and reliable pain scale, such as the numeric rating scale or the visual analog scale¹². The nurse should also ask the client about their satisfaction with pain relief and their functional status²³. The main goal of gabapentin therapy is to reduce pain by at least 50% or to a tolerable level⁴⁵.
Choice B is wrong because increased range of motion and mobility are not outcomes that the nurse should assess the client for when receiving gabapentin for neuropathic pain. Gabapentin is not indicated for musculoskeletal pain or inflammatory pain, and does not have anti-inflammatory or muscle relaxant properties⁶. Gabapentin may improve mobility indirectly by reducing pain, but this is not a direct outcome of the drug.
Choice C is wrong because improved mood and sleep quality are not outcomes that the nurse should assess the client for when receiving gabapentin for neuropathic pain. Gabapentin is not indicated for depression or insomnia, and does not have antidepressant or sedative properties⁶. Gabapentin may improve mood and sleep indirectly by reducing pain, but this is not a direct outcome of the drug.
Choice D is wrong because decreased inflammation and swelling are not outcomes that the nurse should assess the client for when receiving gabapentin for neuropathic pain. Gabapentin is not indicated for inflammatory pain or edema, and does not have anti-inflammatory or diuretic properties⁶. Gabapentin may reduce swelling indirectly by reducing pain, but this is not a direct outcome of the drug.
The nurse should evaluate the response of the client who is receiving gabapentin (Neurontin) for neuropathic pain by measuring the frequency and intensity of pain using a valid and reliable pain scale, such as the numeric rating scale or the visual analog scale¹². The nurse should also ask the client about their satisfaction with pain relief and their functional status²³. The main goal of gabapentin therapy is to reduce pain by at least 50% or to a tolerable level⁴⁵.
Choice B is wrong because increased range of motion and mobility are not outcomes that the nurse should assess the client for when receiving gabapentin for neuropathic pain. Gabapentin is not indicated for musculoskeletal pain or inflammatory pain, and does not have anti-inflammatory or muscle relaxant properties⁶. Gabapentin may improve mobility indirectly by reducing pain, but this is not a direct outcome of the drug.
Choice C is wrong because improved mood and sleep quality are not outcomes that the nurse should assess the client for when receiving gabapentin for neuropathic pain. Gabapentin is not indicated for depression or insomnia, and does not have antidepressant or sedative properties⁶. Gabapentin may improve mood and sleep indirectly by reducing pain, but this is not a direct outcome of the drug.
Choice D is wrong because decreased inflammation and swelling are not outcomes that the nurse should assess the client for when receiving gabapentin for neuropathic pain. Gabapentin is not indicated for inflammatory pain or edema, and does not have anti-inflammatory or diuretic properties⁶. Gabapentin may reduce swelling indirectly by reducing pain, but this is not a direct outcome of the drug.