A nurse is teaching a client with hypertension and gastroesophageal reflux disease who will take ibuprofen for shoulder pain. Which statement indicates correct understanding?
1I will add daily aspirin for heart protection and rely on enteric coating to prevent gastrointestinal bleeding.
2I will take ibuprofen on an empty stomach so it works faster because my reflux medicine protects me.
3I may combine ibuprofen with prednisone for stronger relief because using both lowers gastrointestinal risk.
4I will take it with food, avoid unapproved aspirin or alcohol, and report bleeding, edema, or decreased urine.✓ Correct answer
Explanation
Ibuprofen can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, raise blood pressure, and reduce renal perfusion. Taking it with food may reduce gastric irritation, and the client should avoid unapproved aspirin or alcohol and report bleeding, edema, or decreased urine output. Adding aspirin increases bleeding risk. Taking ibuprofen on an empty stomach increases irritation. Combining an NSAID with prednisone further increases gastrointestinal injury and bleeding risk.