A patient in a residential treatment facility uses a fluticasone propionate and salmeterol discus inhalation system to manage asthma.
This system delivers an inhaled powdered form of these combined medications. What instruction should the nurse provide to this patient’s caregivers?

Choice A rationale

Risedronate is a type of medication known as a bisphosphonate, which is used to treat and prevent osteoporosis. It works by slowing bone loss to help maintain strong bones and reduce the risk of fractures. It’s important to take risedronate correctly to ensure it works effectively. One key instruction is that it should be taken with a full glass of plain water, at least 30 minutes before any food, beverage, or other medicines. This is because food and beverages can decrease the amount of risedronate absorbed by the body. Therefore, the nurse should instruct the client that it is necessary to take nothing but water with the medication.

Choice B rationale

Withholding the medication until the client’s breakfast tray is available on the unit would not be the best action. This is because risedronate needs to be taken as soon as you get out of bed in the morning and at least 30 minutes before any food, beverage, or other medicines. Waiting for the breakfast tray could delay the administration of the medication and potentially decrease its effectiveness.

Choice C rationale

Consulting with a pharmacist about scheduling the dose one hour after the client eats is not the best action. As mentioned earlier, risedronate should be taken at least 30 minutes before any food, beverage, or other medicines. Taking it after eating could decrease the amount of medication that is absorbed by the body, reducing its effectiveness.

Choice D rationale

Assigning an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to bring the client a glass of low-fat milk is not the correct action. This is because risedronate should be taken with a full glass of plain water, not milk. In fact, taking risedronate with milk could decrease the amount of medication that is absorbed by the body.

Choice A rationale

Determining when the last dose was administered is an important step in managing a client’s pain. However, it should not be the first action taken when a client requests the largest possible dose of pain medication. The nurse first needs to assess the client’s current level of pain to determine the appropriate intervention.

Choice B rationale

Reviewing the history for past use of recreational drugs is an important part of a comprehensive pain assessment. However, it should not be the first action taken when a client requests the largest possible dose of pain medication. The nurse first needs to assess the client’s current level of pain to determine the appropriate intervention.

Choice C rationale

Asking the client to rate the current level of pain using a pain scale should be the first action the nurse takes when a client requests the largest possible dose of pain medication. Pain is subjective and can only be accurately assessed by the person experiencing it. Using a pain scale helps the nurse quantify the client’s pain and guide appropriate interventions.

Choice D rationale

Encouraging the client to use diversional thoughts to manage pain can be a helpful non- pharmacological pain management strategy. However, it should not be the first action taken when a client requests the largest possible dose of pain medication. The nurse first needs to assess the client’s current level of pain to determine the appropriate intervention.