Assess for the mentioned cautions and contraindications (e.g.

known allergies, hepatorenal dysfunction,

pregnancy and lactation, etc.) to prevent any untoward complications.

Perform a thorough physical assessment (other medications taken, reflexes and muscle strength, skin
color, temperature, texture, etc.) to establish baseline data before drug therapy begins, to determine
effectiveness of therapy, and to evaluate for occurrence of any adverse effects associated with drug
therapy.

Assess the patient’s liver function, including liver function tests to determine appropriateness of therapy
and to monitor for toxicity.

Obtain a culture of stool for ova and parasites to determine the infecting worm and establish
appropriate treatment.

Assess the abdomen to evaluate for any changes from baseline related to the infection, identify possible
adverse effects, and monitor for improvement.

Nursing Diagnoses

Here are some of the nursing diagnoses that can be formulated in the use of these drugs for therapy:

Acute pain related to GI, CNS, and skin effects of the drug

Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements related to GI effects of the drug

Implementation with Rationale

These are vital nursing interventions done in patients who are taking anthelmintics:

Arrange for appropriate culture and sensitivity tests before beginning therapy to ensure proper drug for
susceptible Plasmodium species.

Administer the complete course of the drug to get the full beneficial effects.

Monitor hepatic function and perform ophthalmological examination before and periodically during
treatment to ensure early detection and prompt intervention with cessation of drug if signs of failure or
deteriorating vision occur.

Provide comfort and safety measures if CNS effects occur (e.g. side rails and assistance with ambulation
if dizziness and weakness are present) to prevent patient injury. Provide oral hygiene and ready access
to bathroom facilities as needed to cope with GI effects.

Educate client on drug therapy to promote understanding and compliance.

Evaluation

Here are aspects of care that should be evaluated to determine effectiveness of drug therapy:

Monitor patient response to therapy (resolution of helminth infestation and improvement in signs and
symptoms).

Monitor for adverse effects (e.g. orientation and affect, nutritional state, skin color and lesions, hepatic
function, and reports of abdominal discomfort and pain, etc).

Evaluate patient understanding on drug therapy by asking patient to name the drug, its indication, and
adverse effects to watch for.

Monitor patient compliance to drug therapy.