A client has been prescribed the opioid combination drug Hycomine ...

[Mr.Thesaxman]

A client has been prescribed the opioid combination drug Hycomine Compound for control of cough. This drug contains hydrocodone, phenylephrine, chlorpheniramine, and acetaminophen.
 
  Which instructions should the nurse provide as part of medication education?
  1. Drink a full glass of water when taking this medication.
  2. Keep this medication at your bedside so you can take it as needed.
  3. Take this drug exactly as indicated.
  4. If you have head or body aches you may take any over-the-counter analgesic.
  5. Do not make important decisions or operate machinery while taking this drug.

Question 2

A client with chronic bronchitis is to start receiving breathing treatments with Acetylcysteine (Mucomyst). Which information should the nurse include in teaching about this medication?
 
  1. Your pharmacist can order this for you to purchase as an over-the-counter drug.
  2. Stop the treatment if you start to cough.
  3. This drug has a very short shelf-life, so if it smells bad do not use it.
  4. This drug is designed to break down and thin the mucus in your lungs.
  5. You might experience nausea while using this drug.

[yotaSR5]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 3,5
Rationale 1: The medication should be taken without water and the client should not drink anything for 3060 minutes.
Rationale 2: Hydrocodone is an opioid with the adverse effect of drowsiness. The client may inadvertently overdose if taking as needed or if taking doses while drowsy.
Rationale 3: Taking too much of this drug can cause oversedation. It also contains acetaminophen which should be taken only as directed.
Rationale 4: The client should not take any other preparation that contains acetaminophen to avoid overdose.
Rationale 5: The hydrocodone component of this drug will make the client drowsy and may impact the ability to make decisions.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 4,5
Rationale 1: This drug is by prescription only.
Rationale 2: This medication is designed to thin mucus to make it easier to remove by coughing. Coughing is a desired effect.
Rationale 3: Acetylcysteine has the odor of rotten eggs. This is not an indication that it is past the recommended use date or that it has gone bad.
Rationale 4: This drug is a mucolytic and is designed to thin mucus by breaking down the chemical structure.
Rationale 5: One of the adverse effects of acetylcysteine is nausea.

[Mr.Thesaxman]

TYSM

[kusterl]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it