The physician orders Salagen 10 mg po twice a day for dry eyes. The medication is supplied in 5-mg tablets. How many tablets will the nurse administer?

Choice A reason: Bed rest increases clot risk and deconditioning; vasodilators lower pressure, but mobility is beneficial unless contraindicated, making this overly restrictive.

Choice B reason: Assisting ambulation helps, but it’s less proactive; it doesn’t address orthostatic hypotension risks at initiation of movement, where falls are most likely.

Choice C reason: Monitoring intake/output tracks fluid status, not directly addressing vasodilation’s hypotensive effects during position changes, missing the primary safety concern.

Choice D reason: Rising slowly counters orthostatic hypotension from vasodilation; it allows autoregulation to stabilize pressure, reducing fall risk in an active elderly patient.

Choice A reason: Narcotics are controlled substances requiring strict accountability; two nurses—one ending and one starting the shift—verify counts to ensure accuracy and prevent diversion per regulatory standards.

Choice B reason: The head nurse and pharmacist may oversee inventory, but shift change counts involve direct caregivers for real-time accuracy, not administrative staff, ensuring immediate responsibility and oversight.

Choice C reason: Involving all nurses from both shifts is impractical and unnecessary; it dilutes accountability and increases error risk, as only two are needed to confirm the count efficiently.

Choice D reason: Pharmacy technicians lack authority over unit narcotics, and the charge nurse alone doesn’t suffice; two nurses ensure a witnessed, reliable count per hospital policy and law.