Final answer:
The client's statement "I have been sleeping better" indicates the effectiveness of zolpidem, a medication intended to treat insomnia. This aligns with zolpidem's function of improving sleep quality by targeting GABA receptors in the brain.
Step-by-step explanation:
When assessing the effectiveness of zolpidem, a medication prescribed for short-term treatment of insomnia, a client's statement regarding improved sleep quality is indicative of its intended therapeutic effect. Zolpidem is not typically known for affecting conditions such as pain, blood glucose, or blood pressure, which are mentioned in the other options provided. A follow-up with a client taking zolpidem that results in the statement "I have been sleeping better" would substantiate the medication's effectiveness in promoting sleep.
Zolpidem's primary function is to initiate and maintain sleep by modulating neurotransmitter activity in the brain, specifically targeting the GABA receptors to produce a sedative effect. Studies suggest that non-pharmacological interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy can also be significantly effective for managing insomnia, but the use of sleep medications has continued to rise in recent years. Concerns regarding the potential overtreatment with sleep medications and their side effects are discussed by Moloney, Konrad, and Zimmer (2011).
Understanding the client's statement within the context of zolpidem's pharmacological action, as mentioned, is essential in the clinical evaluation of the treatment's success. This provides evidence that the medication is acting as expected, aiding the client in achieving better sleep.