A nurse is assessing a client who has hypermagnesemia. Which of the following medications should the nurse prepare to administer?

A. Place the medications on the back of the client's tongue:
Incorrect Explanation: Placing medications on the back of the tongue can increase the risk of choking and aspiration, especially in individuals with dysphagia.
Explanation: Individuals with dysphagia have difficulty swallowing and are at an increased risk of choking or aspirating (inhaling) substances into the lungs. Placing medications on the back of the tongue can be unsafe and is not recommended.
B. Tilt the client's head back when administering the medications:
Incorrect Explanation: Tipping the head back can worsen swallowing difficulties and increase the risk of choking or aspiration.
Explanation: Tipping the head back can compromise the natural swallowing mechanism and increase the risk of aspiration. It's important to keep the client's head in an upright position to aid safe swallowing.
C. Administer more than one pill to the client at a time:
Incorrect Explanation: Administering multiple pills at once can increase the risk of choking and aspiration, especially in individuals with dysphagia.
Explanation: Administering multiple pills at once can overwhelm the client's ability to swallow safely. This action can increase the risk of choking and aspiration, which is especially dangerous for individuals with dysphagia.
D. Mix the medications with a semisolid food for the client:
Correct Answer: This action is appropriate and safer for administering medications to an older adult client with dysphagia.
Explanation: Mixing medications with semisolid food, such as applesauce or yogurt, can help the client swallow more easily and reduce the risk of choking or aspiration. It's important to check with the healthcare provider or pharmacist to ensure that the medications can be mixed with food and that there are no interactions.

A. Orthostatic hypotension refers to a drop in blood pressure upon standing up quickly. This is not a commonly associated adverse effect of pioglitazone.
B. Tinnitus refers to ringing in the ears and is not typically related to pioglitazone use.
C. Insomnia (difficulty sleeping) is not commonly reported as an adverse effect of pioglitazone.
D. Fluid retention
The nurse should plan to monitor the client for the adverse effects of fluid retention.
Pioglitazone is an oral antidiabetic medication that belongs to the thiazolidinedione class. One of the common adverse effects of pioglitazone is fluid retention or edema. This occurs due to its mechanism of action which can cause fluid buildup in the body's tissues, particularly in the lower extremities. Clients taking pioglitazone should be monitored for signs of edema, such as swelling in the ankles, legs, or feet. Monitoring for weight gain and any signs of worsening heart failure is also important.