A client complains about the taste of the sublingual nitro-glycerine and admits that he swallows it rather than holding it under his tongue. The nurse explains that sublingual medications:
should not be swallowed because it alters the absorption potential.
can be held against the roof of the mouth with the tongue to reduce taste.
can be inserted rectally without loss of absorption potential.
can be taken between the cheek and tongue to diminish taste.
The Correct Answer is A
A) Should not be swallowed because it alters the absorption potential: This is the correct explanation. Sublingual medications, such as nitroglycerin, are designed to be absorbed quickly through the mucous membranes under the tongue. Swallowing the medication can significantly reduce its effectiveness and delay absorption, which is crucial for medications used in acute situations like angina.
B) Can be held against the roof of the mouth with the tongue to reduce taste: This option is not correct. Holding the medication against the roof of the mouth does not facilitate the intended sublingual absorption and may not significantly mitigate the taste issue. The medication needs to dissolve under the tongue for effective absorption.
C) Can be inserted rectally without loss of absorption potential: This option is incorrect. Sublingual medications are formulated for absorption through the sublingual mucosa and would not provide the same effects if administered rectally. Different routes of administration have different absorption profiles.
D) Can be taken between the cheek and tongue to diminish taste: While this may help with taste, it does not achieve the desired sublingual absorption. For optimal effect, the medication should be held under the tongue, where it can dissolve and be absorbed directly into the bloodstream.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) While administering the eye drops, a drop lands on the client's outer lid, so the client administers another drop: This action requires further teaching. If a drop lands outside the eye, the client should not administer another drop without first cleaning the area. It’s important to avoid excessive dosing and to ensure the medication is delivered properly.
B) The client cleans the eye from the inner to the outer canthus: This is the correct technique. Cleaning the eye from the inner canthus to the outer canthus helps prevent the spread of debris and ensures a clean area for administering drops.
C) The client looks upward toward the ceiling and administers the eye drops in the conjunctival sac: This action is appropriate. Looking upward helps expose the conjunctival sac, making it easier to administer the drops effectively.
D) The client touches the conjunctival sac with the eyedropper to make sure she is in the correct location: This action requires further teaching. Touching the conjunctival sac with the eyedropper can introduce bacteria and lead to contamination or injury. The client should be advised to keep the dropper tip away from the eye to maintain sterility and safety.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Discard the pill and get another from the dose pack: This option is the most appropriate action. Once a pill has fallen onto the bed linens, it may be contaminated and should not be administered to the client. The nurse should discard the dropped pill and provide a new one to ensure patient safety and maintain hygiene standards.
B) Scoop up the pill in a soufflé cup and hand the cup to the client: This action is inappropriate as it fails to address potential contamination. A pill that has fallen onto bedding may carry bacteria or other pathogens, so it should not be given to the client even if it is retrieved in a different container.
C) Retrieve the pill from the linens and allow the client to take it: This option is unsafe and violates infection control protocols. Giving a pill that has been dropped on bedding poses a risk of contamination and should be avoided.
D) Report the loss of the pill as a medication error: While reporting medication errors is important, in this case, the action taken (discarding the pill and providing a new one) aligns with best practices. The loss of one pill due to a drop does not constitute a medication error in the same sense as an administration mistake, so this option is not necessary.
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