What medication should the nurse administer for a client with a headache after a transsphenoidal hypophysectomy?

• A. Propranolol (Inderal)
• B. Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
• C. Morphine sulfate
• D. Codeine sulfate

Answer: (D)

In this situation, administering codeine sulfate to a client experiencing a headache following a transsphenoidal hypophysectomy is the appropriate choice. Codeine is an opioid analgesic that helps manage moderate pain effectively. Headaches after such surgery can often be significant and require more than a standard analgesic like acetaminophen or ibuprofen for relief, making codeine a suitable option for managing the pain.

Transsphenoidal hypophysectomy, a procedure performed to remove a pituitary tumor or adenoma, can lead to various postoperative complications, including headaches due to changes in intracranial pressure or surgical trauma. Pain relief is crucial for these patients as it allows for better recovery and rehabilitation.

Propranolol, while sometimes used for migraine prevention and other types of headaches, is not typically the first line for postoperative pain management. Ceftriaxone is an antibiotic, which would not be relevant in this scenario unless there were signs of infection, and it would not address headache pain. Morphine sulfate is a potent opioid that could be considered for severe pain, but due to its higher potential for side effects and respiratory depression, codeine is often preferred for moderate pain management in postsurgical settings.