A client taking baclofen identifies a side effect that requires further teaching. Which side effect is it?

A client taking baclofen identifies a side effect that requires further teaching. Which side effect is it?

• A. Photosensitivity
• B. Nausea
• C. Weight gain
• D. Dizziness

Answer: (B)

Baclofen can cause several side effects, but when a patient reports nausea, it signals a teaching opportunity to help them continue therapy safely and comfortably. Nausea is a known GI upset with baclofen, and a straightforward approach often improves tolerance: taking the medication with food or a light snack, staying hydrated, and possibly spreading the dose if advised by the prescriber. It’s important to emphasize not to adjust the dose without guidance and to monitor for persistent or worsening nausea, vomiting, or signs of dehydration, which would require clinician contact or a dose change. Dizziness is also common with baclofen, but this usually falls under routine safety counseling about avoiding activities that require alertness until the patient knows how they respond. Photosensitivity and weight gain are not typical or prominent concerns with baclofen, so they generally do not require the same level of targeted teaching as nausea.

Baclofen can cause several side effects, but when a patient reports nausea, it signals a teaching opportunity to help them continue therapy safely and comfortably. Nausea is a known GI upset with baclofen, and a straightforward approach often improves tolerance: taking the medication with food or a light snack, staying hydrated, and possibly spreading the dose if advised by the prescriber. It’s important to emphasize not to adjust the dose without guidance and to monitor for persistent or worsening nausea, vomiting, or signs of dehydration, which would require clinician contact or a dose change.

Dizziness is also common with baclofen, but this usually falls under routine safety counseling about avoiding activities that require alertness until the patient knows how they respond. Photosensitivity and weight gain are not typical or prominent concerns with baclofen, so they generally do not require the same level of targeted teaching as nausea.