A nurse is preparing to administer total parental nutrition (TPN) 1800 mL to infuse over 24 hr. The nurse should set the IV pump to deliver how many mL/hr?

(Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

A. "Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication": Disulfiram is a medication used to deter alcohol consumption by producing unpleasant effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and flushing, if alcohol is consumed. Therefore, it is crucial for the client to abstain from alcohol while taking disulfiram to avoid these adverse reactions.

B. "Do not crush this medication before swallowing": While it is generally important not to alter the formulation of medications unless instructed by a healthcare provider or indicated in the medication's instructions, crushing disulfiram is not typically a concern. However, the primary focus of disulfiram therapy is the avoidance of alcohol, rather than specific administration instructions.

C. "Avoid grapefruit juice while taking this medication": Grapefruit juice is known to interact with certain medications by inhibiting cytochrome P450 enzymes in the liver, affecting drug metabolism. However, there is no significant interaction between disulfiram and grapefruit juice. Therefore, this information is not relevant to disulfiram therapy.

D. "Take this medication with food": Disulfiram is typically taken on an empty stomach, as food can interfere with its absorption. Therefore, advising the client to take disulfiram with food is not accurate and may compromise its effectiveness. The primary concern with disulfiram therapy is adherence to abstinence from alcohol.

B. "Describe what the pill looks like":

This is the correct response. Asking the client to describe the pill they usually take helps to verify whether the medication being administered matches the client's usual medication. It allows the nurse to confirm whether the client's concern is due to a legitimate difference in appearance or if there might be a potential medication error.

A. "This pill is probably from a different lot number than yours at home":

While lot numbers can vary between batches of medication, this response does not directly address the client's concern about the difference in appearance. It's important to prioritize addressing the client's immediate concerns and verifying the medication's identity.

C. "This hospital might use a different manufacturer, but the medication is the same":

While this response reassures the client about the medication's efficacy, it does not directly address the client's concern about the difference in appearance. Verifying the medication's identity based on the client's description is essential before proceeding with administration.

D. "This is the medication prescribed by your provider":

This response does not address the client's concern about the difference in appearance and may not alleviate their apprehension. Verifying the medication's identity based on the client's description is necessary to ensure the correct medication is administered.