The nurse caring for a 6-year-old patient enters the room to ...

[tatyanajohnson]

The nurse caring for a 6-year-old patient enters the room to administer an oral medication in the form of a pill. The dad at the bedside looks at the pill and tells the nurse that his daughter has a hard time swallowing pills.
 
  Which of the following is the best response by the nurse?
 
  A) Ask the child to try swallowing the pill and offer a choice of drinks to take with it.
  B) Crush the pill and add it to applesauce.
  C) Request that the physician prescribe the medication in liquid form.
  D) Call the pharmacy and ask if the pill can be crushed.

Question 2

A nurse has just administered medication via an orogastric tube. What is the priority nursing action following administration?
 
  A) Check tube placement.
  B) Retape the tube.
  C) Flush the tube.
  D) Remove the tube.

[mariahkathleeen]

Answer to Question 1

Ans: D
The father is the best source of knowledge on medication administration for the child. The pharmacy should be called to determine if the pill might be crushed. Asking the child to try swallowing the pill disregards the information the father has just given. Requesting that the physician order the medication in liquid form is not necessary at this point.

Answer to Question 2

Ans: C
After administration, the nurse should flush the tube to maintain patency and ensure that the entire amount of medication has been given. The tube should be checked prior to administering the medication. It is not necessary to retape the tube following administration. It is not appropriate to remove the tube unless it has been specifically ordered.