A nurse is assessing a client's ability to swallow. Which of the following, when selected by the nurse, indicates an understanding of the cranial nerve that tests the ability to swallow?

Choice A rationale: Tetracycline should generally be taken on an empty stomach, as certain food and beverages, including orange juice, can interfere with its absorption. The nurse should instruct the client to take tetracycline with water and on an empty stomach unless otherwise specified by the healthcare provider.

Choice B rationale: Tetracycline is an antibiotic that can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, leading to an increased risk of sunburn and photosensitivity reactions. To prevent these adverse effects, the nurse should instruct the client to protect their skin from sunlight while taking the medication. This includes using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding prolonged sun exposure. It is essential to educate the client about this potential side effect to ensure their safety and minimize skin reactions during treatment.

Choice C rationale: Tetracycline does not require routine monitoring of serum drug levels. It is an antibiotic with a well-established dosing regimen, and monitoring drug levels is not necessary for its safe and effective use.

Choice D rationale: While taking tetracycline with milk or antacids may help reduce GI irritation, it can also interfere with the absorption of the medication. Therefore, it is generally recommended to take tetracycline with water and on an empty stomach to ensure optimal absorption and effectiveness.

A. Bedtime is the best time to take the tablet.While taking medication at bedtime can sometimes be convenient, it is not necessarily the best time for iron absorption. Iron is best absorbed on an empty stomach, and bedtime might not always align with this condition.

B. Crush the tablets and mix with pudding.Crushing enteric-coated tablets is not recommended because it destroys the coating designed to protect the stomach lining from irritation and to ensure the iron is released in the intestine where it is best absorbed.

C. Wait 2 hours after meals to take the tablet.This is the correct answer because iron is best absorbed on an empty stomach, typically one hour before or two hours after meals. Food can interfere with the absorption of iron, so waiting ensures better efficacy of the supplement.

D. Take the tablet with a daily multivitamin.Taking iron with a multivitamin can be problematic because certain minerals in multivitamins, such as calcium, can inhibit iron absorption. It is better to take iron supplements separately to maximize absorption.