Question

A patient who has diabetes and reported burning foot pain at night receives a new

prescription. Which information should the nurse teach the patient about amitriptyline ?
a. Amitriptyline decreases the depression caused by your foot pain.
b. Amitriptyline helps prevent transmission of pain impulses to the brain.
c. Amitriptyline corrects some of the blood vessel changes that cause pain.
d. Amitriptyline improves sleep and makes you less aware of nighttime pain.

Answer 1

Amitriptyline is an antidepressant that helps to prevent the transmission of pain impulses to the brain, resulting in a decrease in burning foot pain. It may also improve sleep quality and reduce awareness of nighttime pain.

Step-by-step explanation:

Amitriptyline is an antidepressant that is commonly used to treat certain types of pain, including neuropathic pain such as burning foot pain. The medication works by blocking the reuptake of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, which helps to prevent the transmission of pain impulses to the brain. This can result in a decrease in the perception of pain and may also improve sleep quality, making the patient less aware of nighttime pain.