The nurse provides instruction about medication safety to older adults. Which instruction should the nurse provide?

Question

a. Nausea and vomiting are common, harmless drug side effects.
b. Keep a supply of medications at the bedside for convenience.
c. Ask the health care provider to describe the purpose of therapy.
d. Take your daily medications on an empty stomach with water.

Answer 1

C

Feedback
A Incorrect. Although nausea and vomiting are among the most common adverse effects of pharmacotherapy, they can indicate medication toxicity and should be reported to the health care provider.
B Incorrect. Keeping medication at the bedside is dangerous for anyone and can be especially dangerous for older adults taking antianxiety agents, hypnotic agents, and opioid analgesics because these and other medications can cause respiratory depression with and without excessive dosing. If sleepy or lethargic, an older adult can inadvertently take more than the correct dose and suffer serious consequences as a result.
C Correct. Older adults should ask the health care provider for the purpose of each drug and record the information.
D Incorrect. These are suitable instructions for many medications; however, many medications that are likely to cause nausea are taken with food. The nurse should instruct the older adults to keep a record of the recommended method of administration.