A patient is scheduled for diagnostic testing. Which medication should the nurse anticipate that the health-care provider would order?

A. Non-scheduled medication: OTC cough suppressants are typically classified as non-scheduled medications because they are not considered controlled substances and do not require a prescription for purchase.

B. Schedule III medication: Schedule III medications are controlled substances with a moderate potential for abuse and dependence. OTC cough suppressants do not fall under this category.

C. Schedule I medication: Schedule I medications are drugs with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse (e.g., heroin). OTC cough suppressants are not classified in this schedule.

D. Schedule V medication: Schedule V medications are controlled substances with a lower potential for abuse. While some cough medications containing codeine may be Schedule V, common OTC cough suppressants do not fall under this category unless they contain specific controlled substances.

A. "What do the pills look like?" This is a critical question because identifying the medication will guide the nurse in determining the appropriate course of action. However, it should not be the initial response because emergency services should be alerted immediately if the child's life is potentially at risk.

B. “Ask if there is medication to induce vomiting in the household.” Inducing vomiting is not recommended without knowing the specific substance ingested, as it could cause more harm, particularly if the substance is caustic or can lead to aspiration. This is not the best initial action.

C. "Have the child drink a glass of milk." While milk may sometimes be recommended to coat the stomach, this advice is not universally appropriate, particularly without knowing the substance ingested. Milk could interfere with the absorption of some medications or exacerbate the condition.

D. "I'm calling emergency personnel for you now." This is the best response as it ensures immediate medical help is on the way. Time is critical in poisoning cases, and the child may need immediate intervention from professionals.