A patient tells the nurse, I have been reading about using capsaicin as a treatment for muscle pain. ...

4,5
Rationale 1: The nurse should be prepared to discuss pharmaceutical and nonpharmaceutical methods of symptom management, including complementary and alternative therapies. There is no reason to defer to the health care provider.
Rationale 2: Capsaicin is used as a topical application when it is used for muscle pain.
Rationale 3: The patient should apply a cool compress to the application site prior to using capsaicin.
Rationale 4: Reddening of the skin and local stinging are the most common side effects.
Rationale 5: Capsaicin will cause burning of eyes or mucous membranes so the patient should carefully wash hands after applying this ointment.
Global Rationale: Reddening of the skin and local stinging are the most common side effects. Capsaicin will cause burning of eyes or mucous membranes so the patient should carefully wash hands after applying this ointment. The nurse should be prepared to discuss pharmaceutical and nonpharmaceutical methods of symptom management, including complementary and alternative therapies. There is no reason to defer to the health care provider. Capsaicin is used as a topical application when it is used for muscle pain. Reddening of the skin and local stinging are the most common side effects.

Thank you for taking the time to explain this