Question

Your 75-year-old client with osteoarthritis of the knee will be starting on a course of NSAIDs for pain management. The most important teaching point for your patient currently is:

A. You should start with a high dose first and taper down the dose as needed.
B. You should continue to take your Coumadin as you have been.
C. Report any excessive stomach upset or if you notice that your stools become dark or bloody.
D. At this point, it will not be helpful to lose weight.

Answer 1

The key teaching point for an elderly patient starting NSAIDs is to report any signs of stomach bleeding. NSAIDs can increase the risk of gastrointestinal side effects, which is of particular concern for those on blood thinners.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most important teaching point for a 75-year-old client with osteoarthritis starting on a course of NSAIDs for pain management is to report any excessive stomach upset or if stools become dark or bloody. This is crucial because NSAIDs can cause significant gastrointestinal side effects, including stomach bleeding, especially in older adults. Considering that the risk of such side effects increases with the use of blood thinners like Coumadin that the patient may also be taking, it's essential to monitor for symptoms of bleeding.

Additionally, while initiating NSAID therapy, it's important not to start with high doses to avoid an increased risk of side effects. Instead, one should start with the lowest effective dose. Weight loss can also be beneficial in managing osteoarthritis pain, contrary to the notion that it would not be helpful at this stage.