The client complains of numbness of the throat and tongue after ...

[humphriesbr@me.com]

The client complains of numbness of the throat and tongue after taking benzonatate (Tessalon). What instruction should the nurse provide for the client?
 
  1. Take one-half the prescribed dose.
  2. Swallow the medication whole.
  3. Stop taking benzonatate immediately, because this is a life-threatening emergency.
  4. Take benzonatate with an antihistamine.

Question 2

A client has been prescribed fexofenadine (Allegra) for allergic rhinitis. Which statement made by the client indicates the need for further teaching?
 
  1. This medication is available only in pill form.
  2. I will take this medication every day to prevent symptoms of allergies.
  3. I will take this medication only when I have seasonal allergy symptoms.
  4. This medication does not cause drowsiness.

[nanny]

Answer to Question 1

2

Rationale 1: The client needs to swallow the medication whole. Chewing this medication causes numbness of the tongue and throat.
Rationale 2: The client needs to swallow the medication whole. Chewing this medication causes numbness of the tongue and throat.
Rationale 3: The client needs to swallow the medication whole. Chewing this medication causes numbness of the tongue and throat.
Rationale 4: The client needs to swallow the medication whole. Chewing this medication causes numbness of the tongue and throat.

Global Rationale: Benzonatate is a nonopioid antitussive which has a local anesthetic-like effect on stretch receptors in the lung. The client needs to swallow the medication whole. Chewing this medication causes numbness of the tongue and throat. It is outside the nurse's scope of practice to change the medication order. This is not a life-threatening emergency and the benzonatate does not need to be stopped immediately. Taking benzonatate with an antihistamine will not stop the numbness of the throat and tongue.

Answer to Question 2

3

Rationale 1:This medication is available only in pill form is incorrect because this statement is true.
Rationale 2:I will take this medication every day to prevent symptoms of allergies is incorrect because this is the correct way to take this medication.
Rationale 3: Antihistamines are most effective when taken prophylactically to prevent allergic symptoms.
Rationale 4:This medication does not cause drowsiness is incorrect because this statement is true for this medication.

Global Rationale: Antihistamines are most effective when taken prophylactically to prevent allergic symptoms. This medication is available only in pill form, should be taken every day to prevent symptoms, and does cause drowsiness.

[humphriesbr@me.com]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[tranoy]

Excellent