The nurse is caring for a patient being seen at a walk-in clinic for an acute migraine headache. The patient winces every time the light is turned on in the examining room. The patient is unable to identify what triggered the headache. What should the nurse teach the patient to do first in order to determine a plan of care for the headaches?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Keeping a headache diary can help the patient identify potential triggers and patterns in their headaches, which can guide the development of a plan of care. Avoiding sugar and caffeine, avoiding bright light and noise, and avoiding taking analgesics until the cause has been determined may all be components of a plan of care, but they should not be the first step in determining a plan.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Being Seen at a Walk-In