Which of the following is a priority for the nurse in the administration of oral medications and prevention of aspiration?
a. Checking for a gag reflex
b. Allowing the patient to self-administer
c. Assessing the ability to cough
d. Using straws and extra water for administration
A
Feedback
A To protect the patient from aspiration, the nurse should determine the presence of a gag reflex before administering oral medications.
B The nurse should first check for a gag reflex. Then, if possible, the patient should be allowed to self-administer oral medications.
C Checking for a gag reflex takes priority over assessing the ability to cough in preventing aspiration.
D Straws should be avoided because they decrease the control the patient has over volume intake, which increases the risk of aspiration. Some patients cannot tolerate thin liquids such as water, in which case they should be thickened.
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