Question

A nurse is teaching an older adult client who has peripheral neuropathy about a new prescription for duloxetine. Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?

A: "It might take several weeks to notice an improvement in my symptoms.
"B: "I will need to take this medication on an empty stomach."
C: "I should take a daily ibuprofen for generalized aches."
D: "I will need to decrease my dietary sodium intake while taking this medication."

Answer 1

The statement that indicates an understanding of how to use duloxetine correctly is that it might take several weeks to notice an improvement. Duloxetine does not have to be taken on an empty stomach, nor does it commonly require ibuprofen or sodium intake reduction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The subject of this question is medicine, and it concerns the understanding of a medication called duloxetine, which is used for peripheral neuropathy treatment. The correct client statement that indicates an understanding of the teaching is: "It might take several weeks to notice an improvement in my symptoms." Duloxetine, like tricyclic antidepressants, may not provide instant relief and generally requires some time – usually a few weeks – for the patient to notice a mood elevation or improvement in symptoms. This is due to the adaptation period needed for antidepressants to affect the neurotransmitter levels in the brain. Moreover, duloxetine does not require an empty stomach for administration, nor does it typically require a reduction in dietary sodium or routine use of ibuprofen for generalized aches.