To determine the effectiveness of lansoprazole (Prevacid), what should the nurse ask the client?

Asking the client about their experience with heartburn is a direct approach to assess the effectiveness of lansoprazole, which is a proton pump inhibitor commonly prescribed to treat conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and ulcers. Lansoprazole works by reducing the amount of acid produced in the stomach, and heartburn is one of the primary symptoms associated with excess stomach acid.

By inquiring specifically about heartburn, the nurse can gauge whether the medication is alleviating this symptom, thereby indicating its effectiveness in managing the client’s condition. A reduction or absence of heartburn would suggest that the medication is working as intended.

The other options, while potentially relevant to other areas of health, do not directly assess the impact of lansoprazole on acid-related symptoms. Changes in appetite, vision problems, or leg pain while walking do not provide specific information about the medication's primary purpose and effectiveness regarding gastric acid management. Focusing on the symptom that the medication is designed to treat ensures a more accurate assessment of its effectiveness for the client.