A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for diazepam. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

B. Shake the container vigorously:

This is the correct action. Phenytoin suspension tends to settle over time, leading to non-uniform distribution of the medication in the suspension. Therefore, shaking the container vigorously before administering each dose ensures proper dispersion of the medication and helps maintain consistent drug concentration, thus promoting therapeutic efficacy.

A. Check the child's blood pressure:

Checking the child's blood pressure is not directly related to the administration of phenytoin suspension. Monitoring blood pressure may be indicated in certain clinical situations or with certain medications, but it is not specifically required before administering phenytoin suspension.

C. Be sure the child has not eaten within the hour:

While it's important to consider food-drug interactions with certain medications, such as those affected by food intake, there are no specific dietary restrictions associated with phenytoin suspension administration. Therefore, checking whether the child has eaten within the hour is not a necessary step before administering phenytoin suspension.

D. Perform mouth care:

Performing mouth care is not directly related to the administration of phenytoin suspension. However, oral hygiene is important for overall health, especially in children who may have difficulty performing adequate mouth care independently. While mouth care should be encouraged, it is not specifically required before administering phenytoin suspension.

A. Pharmacists: Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who are highly knowledgeable about medications, including their indications, dosages, contraindications, interactions, and administration routes. They play a crucial role in ensuring safe medication administration by providing accurate information and counseling to both healthcare providers and patients.

B. Published journals: Published journals contain peer-reviewed articles and research studies on various aspects of medication administration, including best practices, guidelines, new developments, and evidence-based recommendations. Healthcare professionals often refer to reputable journals to stay updated on the latest information and advancements in medication administration.

C. Physicians Desk Reference (PDR): The Physicians Desk Reference is a comprehensive reference book that provides information on prescription drugs, including their indications, dosages, side effects, and interactions. It is commonly used by healthcare providers as a reliable source of medication information to support safe prescribing and administration practices.

D. Pharmaceutical sales representatives: While pharmaceutical sales representatives may provide information about specific medications, their primary role is to promote and market pharmaceutical products. While they may offer valuable information about medication characteristics, their input may be biased toward promoting specific products rather than providing comprehensive and unbiased information about medication administration. Therefore, they are not typically considered acceptable references for safe medication administration.