Which medication is indicated for a client experiencing nausea 48 hours after surgery?

Aprepitant is specifically indicated for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy and is also effective for delayed nausea after surgery, particularly when combined with other antiemetics. Its mechanism of action involves blocking substance P/neurokinin 1 receptors in the brain, which play a crucial role in the vomiting reflex. The timing of nausea—as experienced 48 hours postoperatively—aligns well with the type of nausea Aprepitant is designed to address, particularly when it may not respond well to other antiemetic treatments.

While Ondansetron and Metoclopramide are also effective antiemetics for immediate and acute nausea, they may not provide the best response for delayed nausea experienced two days after surgery. Dexamethasone has some utility in managing nausea, especially in the context of chemotherapy or as an adjunctive therapy with other agents, but it is typically not the first choice for this specific timing related to postoperative nausea. Hence, Aprepitant emerges as the most appropriate choice for managing nausea that occurs 48 hours after surgery.