The nurse advises that, to reduce the risk of giving a cold to another, one should: (Select 3 correct answers)

A. "It will reduce the frequency of your cough. Antitussives suppress the cough reflex and may reduce how often the patient coughs. However, this answer is vague and does not address the patient's concern and doesn't provide specific guidance on usage.

B. "It should be used in the morning." Antitussives are not recommended for use in the morning unless the cough is disruptive to daytime function. Taking them in the morning could lead to daytime drowsiness, if the medication contains sedating agents like codeine.

C. "It should be taken before sleep." This is the best response because antitussives are often most beneficial at night when coughing can disrupt sleep. Administering them before bed helps reduce nocturnal coughing and supports rest, which is essential for recovery.

D. "It will eliminate your cough at night." While antitussives may greatly reduce coughing, they do not guarantee total elimination of the cough. This statement creates unrealistic expectations and may mislead the patient regarding the effectiveness of the medication.

A. Productive cough and crackles:These are hallmark signs of pneumonia. A productive cough indicates mucus in the airways, while crackles on auscultation suggest fluid and inflammation in the alveoli, consistent with lower respiratory tract infection.

B. Bradycardia and hypotension:Bradycardia is not typically associated with pneumonia. Hypotension can occur in severe or septic cases, but it is not specific or diagnostic. Neither finding is present in this case, nor do they support the pneumonia diagnosis.

C. Elevated WBC and hypertension:An elevated WBC count does support infection, but hypertension is not characteristic of pneumonia. Blood pressure changes are not diagnostic and may vary based on the individual’s baseline or stress response.

D. Decreased WBC & clear lung sounds:A low WBC count and clear lung sounds argue against an infectious process like pneumonia. These findings would more likely suggest that infection is absent or resolving, not active.