When giving sumatriptan 25 mg orally for a migraine, a patient reports the medication takes about 45 minutes to work. Which intervention should the nurse implement until the medication is effective?

• A. Close the window curtains in the room
• B. Offer a caffeinated beverage
• C. Encourage vigorous activity to distract from pain
• D. Administer a second dose immediately if pain persists

Answer: (A)

Reducing sensory stimuli during a migraine helps the patient feel more comfortable while waiting for the sumatriptan to take effect. Dimming the room by closing the curtains lowers light exposure, which often worsens photophobia and can intensify head pain. With oral sumatriptan, relief typically begins within about 30–60 minutes, so creating a quiet, dark, restful environment supports the medication’s action and can shorten the patient’s discomfort in that waiting period.

Other options aren’t as suitable for this purpose. A caffeinated beverage isn’t a reliable or universally safe way to manage an acute migraine and can cause jitteriness or other side effects in some patients. Vigorous activity tends to aggravate a migraine rather than ease it. Administering a second dose immediately without medical direction risks overdose and adverse effects.