If adverse effects occur with gabapentin, what should the patient do?

• A. Report them to the nurse.
• B. Ignore unless symptoms worsen.
• C. Stop taking the medication immediately without consultation.
• D. Take more than prescribed to relieve symptoms.

Answer: (A)

When adverse effects occur with gabapentin, it’s important to report them to the nurse so they can assess how serious they are and guide safe next steps. Gabapentin can cause dizziness, drowsiness, unsteadiness, edema, or mood changes, and older adults may be especially sensitive to these effects, increasing fall risk or indicating a need to adjust the dose or review other medications. The nurse can evaluate the symptoms, check renal function and current medications, and decide whether to modify the dose, pause treatment, or discontinue with medical guidance. Stopping suddenly or increasing the dose without supervision can be unsafe, so prompt reporting is the safest course.