Question

a nurse is teaching a client who recently had a myocardial infarction and has a new prescription for docusate sodium. the nurse should inform the client that docusate sodium has which of the following therapeutic effects? reduces inflammation reduces gastric acid prevents diarrhea prevents straining

Explanation:

Docusate sodium is a stool softener, used to prevent constipation and the straining that comes with it. For a post-myocardial infarction client, straining during bowel movements can increase cardiac workload, so preventing straining is the key therapeutic effect here. The other options are incorrect: it does not reduce inflammation, reduce gastric acid, or prevent diarrhea.

Answer:

Prevents straining