The order is for amoxicillin oral suspension 3 tsp every 12 hours. To help the patient take the medication using a medicine cup with household measurements, the nurse tells the patient that will provide the ordered dose.

A. Administer extended-release tablets once a day: While extended-release formulations are often given once daily, the exact frequency must be confirmed with the prescriber’s order. The label alone does not specify the dosing schedule.

B. Instruct the patient to chew the tablet slowly: Extended-release tablets are formulated to release the drug over time. Chewing them can destroy the coating and cause rapid absorption, increasing the risk of adverse effects.

C. Instruct the patient to swallow the entire tablet: Swallowing the extended-release tablet whole ensures that the medication is released gradually as designed. This maintains therapeutic levels and reduces the risk of toxicity.

D. Crush and dissolve the tablet in 15 mL of water: Crushing or dissolving an extended-release tablet disrupts the controlled-release mechanism, potentially leading to overdose and loss of efficacy.

A. Document the medication before giving it: Documenting before administration risks recording a medication that may not actually be given, leading to errors and inaccurate medical records.

B. Document only if the patient refuses: Documentation is required for all administered medications, not just when a patient refuses, to ensure accurate tracking, legal compliance, and continuity of care.

C. Document the medication only if it caused side effects: Side effects must be documented, but documentation of the administration itself is always necessary, regardless of the patient’s reaction, to maintain an accurate record.

D. Document after the medication is administered: Recording the medication after administration ensures that the entry reflects an actual event, confirming that the patient received the correct drug, dose, route, and time. This practice aligns with safe and legal nursing standards.