Question

A nurse in a provider's office is assessing an adolescent who has been taking ibuprofen for 6 months to treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Which of the following questions should the nurse ask to assess for an adverse effect of this medication?

a) "Have you experienced any recent weight gain?"
b) "Are you experiencing any ringing in your ears?"
c) "Have you noticed any changes in your taste perception?"
d) "Do you have difficulty falling asleep at night?"

Answer 1

To assess for an adverse effect of ibuprofen in an adolescent, the nurse should ask if they are experiencing any ringing in their ears, as tinnitus can signal an NSAID-related side effect.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse in a provider's office is assessing an adolescent who has been taking ibuprofen for 6 months to treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The question posed is which inquiry should be made to assess an adverse effect of ibuprofen. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can cause various side effects, most notably gastrointestinal issues such as ulcers and increased risk of heart attack and kidney disease.

Among the options provided, question b) "Are you experiencing any ringing in your ears?" is the most relevant for assessing a known adverse effect of NSAIDs. Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can be a side effect of high doses of NSAIDs. This symptom should be monitored as it can indicate toxicity or adverse reactions.