high blood pressure
Alendronate is a bisphosphonate medicine that alters bone formation and breakdown in the body. This can slow bone loss and may help prevent bone fractures. Alendronate is used to treat osteoporosis caused by menopause, steroid use, or gonadal failure. This medicine is for use when you have a high risk of bone fracture due to osteoporosis. Common side effects may include heartburn, upset stomach, stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, bone pain, or muscle or joint pain. SN instructed pt to report if she experiences any of these s/sx. Pt voiced understanding.
SN instructed patient and caregiver that potassium is available in foods such as asparagus, tomatoes and green leafy vegetables such as spinach. Some salt substitutes contain potassium. Avoid fruits like bananas and oranges if you are on a diabetic diet. If levels drop too low or spike too high, your heart function suffers, becoming slow or erratic, a condition known as arrhythmias. Because abnormal potassium levels greatly impact your heart function and can ultimately lead to a heart attack, it’s essential to follow your doctor’s advice carefully. Most common reasons for potassium loss is from vomiting, diarrhea, laxative use and diuretic use.
SN instructed patient and caregiver on measures to prevent constipation: increasing fluids (prefer approx. 8 glasses of water daily) eating a diet high in fiber, and avoiding foods with sugars (pasta, pastries, cheese, rice, etc.), exercise regularly at a slow, steady pace, as directed by md if you are able. Both parties verbalized understanding.
SN instructed patient and caregiver that Diazepam can be habit-forming, so it's not typically used for long-term treatment or for people who've had problems with drug or alcohol abuse. This high risk benzodiazepine should never be taken more frequently or in higher doses than prescribed due to risk of overdose. S/s overdose include dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, lethargy and respiratory depression and even death in severe cases, especially when combined with EtOH or opiates. Patient and caregiver state they will only administer this medication as prescribed.
Instructed patient on new medication Sulindac. Sulindac may also be used for purposes not listed. Sulindac can increase your risk of fatal heart attack or stroke, especially if you use it long term or take high doses, or if you have heart disease. Even people without heart disease or risk factors could have a stroke or heart attack while taking this medicine. You should not use sulindac if you are allergic to it, or if you have ever had an asthma attack or severe allergic reaction after taking aspirin or an NSAID. Patient verbalized understanding.
SN instructed patient and caregiver about certain foods or eating habits are more likely to result in flushing, diarrhea, gas, bloating, and abdominal pain related to carcinoid syndrome. You only need to avoid particular foods if they cause you to have these symptoms. Keeping a food and symptom diary may be helpful. Record your daily food and drink consumption and any symptoms that you experience. You may start to notice a pattern. Carcinoid patients with symptoms should augment protein in their diets, add more tryptophan in the form of lean meats and protein, and avoid high tyramine-containing foods, which can cause flushing, such as hard and aged cheeses, including cheddar and Stilton; cured meats; and some nuts, specifically walnuts, peanuts, coconuts, and Brazil nuts.
SN instructed patient you can do many things to help knee pain, whether it's due to a recent injury or arthritis you've had for years. Too much rest can weaken your muscles, which can worsen joint pain. Find an exercise program that is safe for your knee. Do exercise, don’t risk a fall. A painful or unstable knee can make a fall more likely, which can cause more knee damage. Curb your risk of falling by making sure your home is well lit, using handrails on staircases, and using a sturdy ladder or foot stool if you need to reach something from a high shelf.
Educated PT on diet for MS patients. PT was explained that overall, people with MS need a balanced, low-fat and high-fiber diet. Unprocessed or naturally processed foods are preferred to processed foods. This is similar to the Mediterranean diet, and the same healthy diet that's recommended for the general population. Also consider limiting alcohol as much as possible. Understanding was verbalized.
Instructed in new medication Calcium and in S/E such as headache, weakness, dizziness, paresthesia, chest pressure, facial flushing, edema of feet, eye pain, nasal congestion, transient nausea, unusual taste, diarrhea, anorexia, vomiting, epigastric discomfort, abdominal pain, increased urinary frequency, nocturia, shortness of breath, rash, pruritus of ear lobes, inflammation at injection site, hypersensitivity reactions (anaphylaxis), chills and tender palms and soles.
Instructed in visiting an ophthalmologist, an MD who specializes in eye care inmediately if there are any of these symptoms of eye damage: blurred or double vision, narrowed field of vision, seeing dark spots, feeling of pressure or pain in the eyes and difficulty seeing in dim light.