A nurse is teaching a class about safe medication administration. The nurse should include in the teaching that which of the following references are acceptable for safe medication administration? (Select all that apply.)

Children can often be resistant to taking medication, but offering them choices and involving them in the process can help promote cooperation. Here's the rationale for each option:

A. Tell the child it is candy: This strategy involves deception and can lead to trust issues if the child discovers the truth. It's not ethical or recommended to lie to a child about medication.

B. Tell the child he will have to have a shot instead: Threatening the child with a shot is coercive and can cause fear and anxiety. It's not an appropriate or therapeutic approach to encourage cooperation.

C. Hide the medication in a large dish of ice cream: While hiding medication in food may work for some children, it's important to ensure that the child consumes the entire dose. Additionally, it's essential to check with the healthcare provider or pharmacist to confirm that the medication can be taken with food. However, this approach may not address the underlying issue of the child's resistance to taking medication.

D. Offer the child a choice of taking the medication with juice or water: Offering the child a choice empowers them and gives them some control over the situation. By allowing the child to choose how they take the medication, they may feel more comfortable and cooperative. This approach respects the child's autonomy and can be an effective way to encourage cooperation while ensuring the medication is taken as prescribed.

A. "You will need to take this medication on an empty stomach."

Lithium is typically taken with food to minimize gastrointestinal side effects. Instructing the client to take it on an empty stomach would be incorrect.

B. "You will need to stop this medication if you experience diarrhea."

Diarrhea is not typically a reason to stop lithium therapy. However, persistent diarrhea can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which may affect lithium levels. It's essential for the client to report persistent diarrhea to their healthcare provider for further evaluation and management.

C. "You will need to consume a low-salt diet while on this medication."

A low-salt diet is not typically recommended with lithium therapy. In fact, lithium can cause sodium depletion, so it's important for clients to maintain adequate salt intake unless otherwise instructed by their healthcare provider.

D. "You will need your blood levels drawn weekly during the first month."

This statement is correct. Monitoring serum lithium levels is crucial to ensure the medication's effectiveness and prevent toxicity. Initially, frequent monitoring is necessary to establish the appropriate dosage and assess for any signs of toxicity. Weekly blood level checks during the first month of therapy are common practice.