A patient has been prescribed intravenous (IV) famotidine.
Which observation would indicate to the practical nurse (PN) that the medication is having the desired effect?
A.
Decreased nighttime awakenings.
B.
Positive stool antigen test.
C.
Loss of 3 pounds (1.36 kg) in a month.
D.
Reduced epigastric pain.
The Correct answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is D. Reduced epigastric pain.
Explanation
Famotidine is an H2 receptor antagonist that reduces stomach acid production, making it effective in treating conditions such as peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. The primary therapeutic goal of administering famotidine is to alleviate symptoms associated with excessive gastric acid, particularly epigastric pain.
When evaluating the effectiveness of famotidine, the practical nurse (PN) should monitor for a decrease in symptoms related to acid secretion. In this case, reduced epigastric pain is the most direct indicator that the medication is working as intended. If the patient reports less discomfort in the upper abdomen, it suggests that the acid levels are being adequately managed, leading to symptomatic relief.
Let’s consider the other options:
- A. Decreased nighttime awakenings: While this might indicate an improvement in symptoms related to gastric distress, it is less specific than reduced epigastric pain. Nighttime awakenings can occur for various reasons unrelated to gastric acid levels, such as anxiety or other medical conditions.
- B. Positive stool antigen test: This option is misleading. A positive stool antigen test typically indicates the presence of Helicobacter pylori, which is often a causative agent of peptic ulcers. The use of famotidine does not directly influence the result of this test and would not indicate therapeutic success.
- C. Loss of 3 pounds (1.36 kg) in a month: While weight loss may be a sign of improved symptoms due to decreased pain (such as reduced avoidance of food), it is not a direct measure of famotidine’s effectiveness. Weight can fluctuate for numerous reasons, making it a poor indicator for the specific action of the medication.
In conclusion, monitoring for reduced epigastric pain directly correlates with the expected pharmacological effect of famotidine, making it the most appropriate observation for evaluating the medication’s effectiveness.