A nurse is planning to administer medications to an older adult client who has dysphagia. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

Place the medications on the back of the client's tongue.

Tilt the client's head back when administering the medications.

Administer more than one pill to the client at a time.

Mix the medications with a semisolid food for the client.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A. Place the medications on the back of the client's tongue:
Incorrect Explanation: Placing medications on the back of the tongue can increase the risk of choking and aspiration, especially in individuals with dysphagia.
Explanation: Individuals with dysphagia have difficulty swallowing and are at an increased risk of choking or aspirating (inhaling) substances into the lungs. Placing medications on the back of the tongue can be unsafe and is not recommended.
B. Tilt the client's head back when administering the medications:
Incorrect Explanation: Tipping the head back can worsen swallowing difficulties and increase the risk of choking or aspiration.
Explanation: Tipping the head back can compromise the natural swallowing mechanism and increase the risk of aspiration. It's important to keep the client's head in an upright position to aid safe swallowing.
C. Administer more than one pill to the client at a time:
Incorrect Explanation: Administering multiple pills at once can increase the risk of choking and aspiration, especially in individuals with dysphagia.
Explanation: Administering multiple pills at once can overwhelm the client's ability to swallow safely. This action can increase the risk of choking and aspiration, which is especially dangerous for individuals with dysphagia.
D. Mix the medications with a semisolid food for the client:
Correct Answer: This action is appropriate and safer for administering medications to an older adult client with dysphagia.
Explanation: Mixing medications with semisolid food, such as applesauce or yogurt, can help the client swallow more easily and reduce the risk of choking or aspiration. It's important to check with the healthcare provider or pharmacist to ensure that the medications can be mixed with food and that there are no interactions.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Insert the needle at least 5 cm (2 in) from the umbilicus: Correct. Subcutaneous injections, including heparin, should be given in fatty tissue away from major blood vessels and bony prominences. The recommended sites are usually the abdomen, thighs, or upper arms.
B. Aspirate before injecting the medication: Incorrect. Aspiration is not required for subcutaneous injections because they are administered into the subcutaneous fat layer, not a blood vessel. Aspiration could cause trauma and discomfort to the client.
C. Massage the site after administering the medication: Incorrect. Massaging the site after administering heparin can cause bruising or discomfort. Instead, it's recommended to apply gentle pressure with a sterile gauze pad for a few seconds.
D. Use a 21-gauge needle for the injection: Incorrect. Subcutaneous injections are typically administered with smaller gauge needles, such as 25-30 gauge, to minimize pain and tissue damage.

A. "I will need to have blood levels drawn." B. "I can take my medication in the morning with my coffee." C. "I may sprinkle the medication in applesauce." D. "I should limit my fluid intake while on this medication."

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. "I will need to have blood levels drawn."
Theophylline is a medication used to treat respiratory conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is important to monitor the blood levels of theophylline because it has a narrow therapeutic range – meaning that there is a fine line between a therapeutic dose and a toxic dose. Regular blood tests help to ensure that the client is receiving the appropriate dose for their condition.
B. "I can take my medication in the morning with my coffee." - Theophylline should be taken consistently with meals, so taking it with coffee might not be ideal as it can affect its absorption.
C. "I may sprinkle the medication in applesauce." - Theophylline is usually taken as a sustained-release capsule, which means it is designed to release the medication slowly over time. Crushing or sprinkling the medication can disrupt this mechanism and lead to unintended consequences.
D. "I should limit my fluid intake while on this medication." - There's no requirement to limit fluid intake with theophylline, and in fact, adequate hydration can help prevent some side effects of the medication.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A nurse is planning to administer medications to an older adult client who has dysphagia. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is preparing to administer subcutaneous heparin to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for theophylline, a sustained-release capsule. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who is in shock and is receiving an infusion of albumin. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A nurse is caring for a client who has tuberculosis and is taking isoniazid and rifampin. Which of the following outcomes indicates that the client is adhering to the medication regimen?

A nurse is teaching a client who has angina about a new prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin tablets. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving a peripheral IV infusion and notes infiltration of fluid into the tissues surrounding the insertion site. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A nurse is caring for a client who is taking sertraline and reports desire to begin taking supplements. Which of the following supplements should the nurse advise the client to avoid?

A nurse is administering 4 mg of hydromorphone to a client by mouth every 4 hr. The medication is provided as hydromorphone 8 mg per tablet. Which of the following actions is appropriate for the nurse to take?

A nurse is caring for a client who has major depression and a new prescription for citalopram. Which of the following adverse effects is the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?

A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client and discovers a medication error. The nurse should recognize that which of the following staff members is responsible for completing an incident report?