Question

A patient who is taking the ondansetron Zoran) for nausea prevention prior to chemotherapy treatments tells the nurse she is experiencing a headache. What instruction should the nurse offer?

a. she should stop taking the ondansetron immediately and call her physician
b. she should take ibuprofen (motrin) along with the ondasetron to minimize the side effects
c. this is a common side effect of ondansetron
d. it is not safe to take this drug prior to chemotherapy

Answer 1

Headaches can be a common side effect of ondansetron (Zofran), a medication used to prevent nausea during chemotherapy. The patient should report the headache to her doctor for personalized advice on managing this side effect.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a patient taking ondansetron (Zofran) for nausea prevention prior to chemotherapy treatments experiences a headache, it is important to acknowledge that headaches can be a common side effect of this medication. Ondansetron is widely used to prevent nausea and vomiting associated with cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The correct action should involve advising the patient to report this side effect to her doctor, as they can provide personalized advice, which may include taking an over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen, adjusting the ondansetron dose, or considering alternative treatments if necessary. However, the nurse should not suggest immediately stopping the medication without the physician's guidance, as ondansetron is crucial in preventing chemotherapy-induced nausea.