After administering trimethobenzamide (Tigan), which symptom should the nurse monitor for relief?

Trimethobenzamide, commonly known by its brand name Tigan, is an antiemetic medication primarily used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting. When administering this medication, the nurse should specifically monitor for relief of nausea and vomiting because these are the symptoms that Tigan is designed to alleviate.

The mechanism of action involves blocking certain signals in the brain that trigger the vomiting reflex, making it particularly effective in managing these symptoms. Therefore, after administration, observing for the reduction or absence of nausea and vomiting is critical to evaluate the effectiveness of the medication and to ensure patient comfort.

In contrast, while other symptoms like heartburn, constipation, and abdominal pain may be relevant in a clinical context, they are not primary indications for the use of trimethobenzamide, hence the focus on monitoring for nausea and vomiting.