A nurse is planning to administer medications to an older adult client who has dysphagia. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?
Place the medications on the back of the client's tongue.
Tilt the client's head back when administering the medications.
Administer more than one pill to the client at a time.
Mix the medications with a semisolid food for the client.
The Correct Answer is D
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. "Plan to self-administer this medication for the next 6 months": The duration of treatment may vary based on individual circumstances and medical evaluation. It's not appropriate to make a blanket statement about the treatment duration.
B. "Administer the medication into one nostril once per week."
Cyanocobalamin is a form of vitamin B12 that is used to treat pernicious anemia. It can be administered via nasal spray in some cases. The appropriate dosing for nasal cyanocobalamin usually involves administration once a week. The client should be instructed to administer the medication into one nostril as directed by their healthcare provider.
C. "Lie down for 1 hour after administering the medication": There is no need for the client to lie down for an extended period after administering nasal cyanocobalamin.
D. "Use a nasal decongestant 15 minutes before the medication if you have a stuffy nose": This is not a standard recommendation for administering nasal cyanocobalamin. The client should follow the specific instructions provided by their healthcare provider.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. "Keep the tablets at room temperature in their original glass bottle." This is a correct storage instruction. Nitroglycerin tablets are sensitive to heat and light, so they should be stored in their original container, protected from light, and kept at room temperature.
B. "Discard any tablets you do not use every 6 months." This is not an accurate instruction. Nitroglycerin tablets usually have an expiration date printed on the label, and they should be discarded after that date.
C. "Take one tablet each morning 30 minutes prior to eating." This is not an accurate instruction. Sublingual nitroglycerin is taken as needed to relieve angina symptoms, not on a regular schedule like a daily medication.
D. "Place the tablet between your cheek and gum to dissolve."
Sublingual nitroglycerin tablets are used to relieve angina symptoms by causing vasodilation, which increases blood flow to the heart muscle. To take sublingual nitroglycerin tablets effectively, the client should be instructed to place the tablet between the cheek and gum to dissolve. This allows the medication to be absorbed through the mucous membranes in the mouth and enter the bloodstream quickly, providing rapid relief from angina symptoms.
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