A patient is ordered bisacodyl (Dulcolax). Before administering the drug, it is most important for the nurse to assess the patient for what?

A. Aspirin and warfarin

The combination of aspirin and warfarin poses a potential risk of increased bleeding and bruising. Both aspirin and warfarin are anticoagulants, and when used together, they can potentiate each other's effects, leading to a higher risk of bleeding events, including easy bruising.

B. Sulfasalazine and acetaminophen

Sulfasalazine is often used in the treatment of arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, while acetaminophen is a commonly used pain reliever. There is no significant interaction between these two medications leading to increased bleeding or bruising.

C. Tolmetin and propranolol

Tolmetin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for pain relief, and propranolol is a beta-blocker used for conditions such as hypertension. While both medications have their own potential side effects, there is no specific interaction between them that significantly increases the risk of bleeding or bruising.

D. Meloxicam and amlodipine

Meloxicam is an NSAID, and amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker used for hypertension. Similar to option C, there is no known significant interaction between these two medications that would lead to increased bleeding or bruising.

A. The patient's understanding of the medication:

While it's important for the patient to understand their medication, assessing their understanding is typically done through patient education and counseling. This assessment is vital for promoting adherence and safe medication practices but is not the primary consideration immediately before administration.

B. The patient's ability to swallow:

This is the correct answer. Assessing the patient's ability to swallow is crucial before administering oral medications to ensure that the patient can safely and effectively take the prescribed medication without the risk of aspiration or choking.

C. The patient's allergies:

Assessing the patient's allergies is an essential step in medication administration, but it is generally part of the overall medication safety process. It may not be the primary assessment immediately before administering an oral medication, but it is a crucial consideration.

D. The eyesight:

The patient's eyesight is not typically a primary assessment before administering oral medications. While visual impairments can affect a patient's ability to read medication labels or instructions, it is not the immediate concern when assessing readiness for oral medication administration.