The physician orders Zestril 15 mg po daily for hypertension. The medication is supplied in 5-mg tablets. How many tablets will the nurse administer?

Choice A reason: Classifications like “analgesics” pair effects (pain relief) with symptoms (pain); this pharmacological basis groups drugs by therapeutic purpose and mechanism.

Choice B reason: Dosage varies within classes; it’s not a defining trait, as classifications focus on action (e.g., beta-blockers), not specific amounts administered.

Choice C reason: Tolerance is patient-specific, not a classification criterion; drugs are grouped by effect and symptom relief, not individual response variations.

Choice D reason: Nursing implications guide administration, not classification; categories stem from pharmacology (e.g., antihypertensives), not care protocols or implications.

Choice A reason: Informing the patient is secondary; it addresses communication but not immediate safety risks like needlestick injury, which is a higher priority post-injection per occupational health standards.

Choice B reason: Assessing comfort is important but not urgent; pain evaluation can wait after securing the needle, as safety from sharps exposure outweighs immediate patient feedback in priority.

Choice C reason: Engaging the safety sheath prevents needlestick injuries; it’s the priority action to protect the nurse and others from bloodborne pathogens, aligning with universal precautions post-injection.

Choice D reason: Checking for bleeding is routine but not critical; minor oozing is common and manageable later, while needle safety is an immediate concern to prevent infection risks.