Final answer:
The nurse should advise the patient to take Metformin with meals to alleviate gastrointestinal side effects such as bloating and diarrhea while not discontinuing or changing the dosage without medical advice.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a patient reports side effects such as bloating, nausea, cramping, and diarrhea after being prescribed Metformin, the nurse should advise the patient to take Metformin with meals to help lessen these gastrointestinal symptoms. It is not advisable to discontinue Metformin immediately without consulting a healthcare professional, as abrupt cessation might affect blood sugar control. Additionally, increasing the dosage without medical guidance or switching medications without a physician's recommendation could lead to further complications. The symptoms described, including watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, and weight loss, as well as stomach cramps/pain, increased gas, and fatigue, are common initial side effects of Metformin that typically improve over time as the body adjusts to the medication.