A nurse is preparing to administer fluoxetine 30 mg PO for a client who has depression and cannot swallow capsules. Available is fluoxetine 20 mg/5 mL oral solution.

How many mL should the nurse plan to administer?
(Round to the nearest tenth. Use a leading zero if it applies.)

Choice A rationale:

Developing a respiratory infection can indeed trigger a myasthenic crisis. Any form of stress on the body, including infections, can exacerbate symptoms.

Choice B rationale:

Taking too much prescribed medication is not typically a cause of myasthenic crisis. However, medication changes should always be managed carefully.

Choice Crationale:

Insufficient sleep can contribute to overall stress and fatigue, potentially exacerbating symptoms, but it is not a primary cause of myasthenic crisis.

Choice Drationale:

Insufficient exercise is not a known trigger for myasthenic crisis. While regular exercise can help manage symptoms, lack of exercise is not a direct cause.

The correct answer is choice C. Apply gentle pressure with a finger to the tragus of the ear.

Choice A rationale:

Chilling the medication prior to administration is not recommended. Cold ear drops can cause dizziness or discomfort when instilled into the ear. It is generally advised to warm the drops to body temperature by holding the bottle in your hands for a few minutes before administration.

Choice B rationale:

Holding the dropper against the ear canal while instilling the medication is incorrect. The dropper should be held above the ear canal to avoid contamination and injury. Touching the dropper to the ear canal can introduce bacteria and cause infection.

Choice C rationale:

Applying gentle pressure with a finger to the tragus of the ear helps to facilitate the flow of the medication into the ear canal. This action helps to ensure that the medication reaches the affected area effectively.

Choice D rationale:

Straightening the external auditory canal by pulling it down and back is incorrect for adults. For adults, the correct method is to pull the ear up and back to straighten the ear canal. Pulling it down and back is the method used for children.