Question

A nurse is reviewing the health care provider's prescriptions for a client admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of an acute attack of Ménière's disease. Which prescription, if noted on the client's chart, should the nurse question?

Option 1: Diuretics
Option 2: Antihypertensives
Option 3: Antimicrobial agents
Option 4: Anticoagulants

Answer 1

The prescription that the nurse should question for a patient with Ménière's disease is the use of anticoagulants, as it is not a standard treatment for this condition and can be potentially harmful unless needed for an unrelated issue.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student has asked which prescription for a client admitted with Ménière's disease should be questioned by the nurse. Ménière's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that can lead to dizzy spells (vertigo) and hearing loss. In most cases, Ménière's disease affects only one ear and is a chronic condition.

Of the options provided, the prescription that should be questioned is Option 4: Anticoagulants. Ménière's disease is typically treated with a combination of diet changes, diuretics, and medications that can help to control the vertigo. Anticoagulants are not a standard treatment for Ménière's disease and could be potentially harmful unless there is specific justification for their use, such as an unrelated comorbid condition.

Ménière's disease is thought to be related to a change in volume of the fluid within parts of the labyrinth but the exact cause and reason why anticoagulants might be prescribed in this context is unclear. Diuretics are commonly used to reduce fluid retention, including in the inner ear, antihypertensives may be prescribed if high blood pressure is a concern, and antimicrobial agents may be prescribed if there is an infection. Since there is no clear association between Ménière's disease and a condition necessitating anticoagulants, that prescription should be questioned.