A patient who has a nonproductive cough will begin taking ...

[xroflmao]

A patient who has a nonproductive cough will begin taking guaifenesin to help with secretions. When teaching this patient about the medication, the nurse will provide which instruction?
 
  a. Avoid driving or using heavy machinery.
  b. Drink extra water while taking the medication.
  c. Monitor urine output closely.
  d. Take with an oral antihistamine for better effects.

Question 2

A patient who has seasonal allergies with a runny nose during the daytime reports increasing nighttime symptoms of coughing and sneezing that are interfering with sleep. The provider recommends diphenhydramine (Benadryl) at bedtime.
 
  What information will the nurse include when teaching the patient about this medication?
  a. Avoid fluids at bedtime to prevent urinary retention.
  b. This will help clear your daytime symptoms, too.
  c. You should be able to sleep better when you take this medication.
  d. You should take this medication on an empty stomach.

[sierrahalpin]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Guaifenesin is an expectorant, and patients taking this medication should be advised to increase fluid intake to at least 8 glasses of water per day. (Remember to assess for contraindications to increasing fluid intake e.g., heart failure, kidney failure with dialysis, etc..) Guaifenesin does not cause drowsiness or urinary retention. Antihistamines will dry secretions, making them harder to expectorate.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
A side effect of diphenhydramine is drowsiness. Patients whose nighttime symptoms clear should be able to sleep better, especially with drowsiness side effects. Avoiding fluids does not prevent urinary retention. The half-life of diphenhydramine is short, so drug effects will not last through the next day. There is no need to take the medication on an empty stomach.

[xroflmao]

TY

[sierrahalpin]

You're welcome