An older male patient with nausea is prescribed scopolamine ...

[HCHenry]

An older male patient with nausea is prescribed scopolamine (L-hyoscine). Which nursing assessment does the nurse perform to determine whether he is experiencing a serious side effect?
 
  a. Checking capillary refill
  b. Measuring abdominal girth
  c. Evaluating handgrip strength
  d. Evaluating daily intake and output

Question 2

What is the most important precaution the nurse must teach a patient who is prescribed any antiviral drug?
 
  a. Take the drug exactly as prescribed and for as long as prescribed.
  b. Never take any antibacterial drugs while you are on antiviral therapy.
  c. Drink at least 3 L of water daily for the entire time you are taking this drug.
  d. Avoid unnecessary exposure to this drug by stopping it when you have no symptoms for 24 hours.

[bdobbins]

Answer to Question 1

D
Scopolamine is an anticholinergic drug that can cause urinary retention. Older men often have some degree of prostate enlargement that may be undiagnosed and result in some urinary reten-tion. Scopolamine makes this problem worse and can cause kidney damage. Comparing urine output to fluid intake is important for this patient to determine whether severe urinary retention is occurring.

Answer to Question 2

A
For effective antiviral therapy the patient must take the drug long enough to ensure suppression of viral reproduction. If the patient stops taking the drug as soon as he or she feels better, symp-toms of infection may recur and resistant viruses may develop.

[HCHenry]

TY

[bdobbins]

You're welcome