ATI Clinical Exam Related

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A nurse is instructing a patient who has been newly prescribed sumatriptan tablets for the treatment of migraine headaches. Which instructions should the nurse include? What instructions should the nurse include for sumatriptan?

  • A. Report any eyelid swelling after dosage.
  • B. Repeat the dose in 1 hour if the headache persists.
  • C. Take the medication daily to prevent headaches.
  • D. Thoroughly chew the tablet before swallowing.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Repeat the dose in 1 hour if the headache persists. Sumatriptan is used to treat acute migraine attacks, and the patient should be instructed to take a second dose if the headache does not improve after the first dose. This is important because it helps ensure adequate relief of symptoms. Choices A and D are incorrect because eyelid swelling is not a common side effect of sumatriptan, and sumatriptan tablets should be swallowed whole without chewing. Choice C is incorrect because sumatriptan is not taken daily for headache prevention; it is used as needed for acute migraine attacks.