The nurse is instructing an older client on ways to prevent esophageal irritation from taking medication. Which information should the nurse include in this teaching? Select all that apply.

Question

1. Drink at least 8 ounces of water with morning medications.
3. Take several sips of water before taking oral medications.
4. Sit up in a chair for at least 30 minutes after taking oral medications.

Answer 1

Explanation: 1. One intervention to prevent esophageal irritation from taking medication is to drink at least 8 ounces of water with each pill. In cases of polypharmacy, this is not feasible, but a full glass of water should be taken when medications are taken.
2. The client should not divide or break up tablets or capsules without consulting the pharmacist since some drugs may be enteric coated or compounded as a sustained-release preparation; chewing or breaking them apart could result in toxicity as more of the drug becomes immediately available for absorption.
3. One intervention to prevent esophageal irritation from taking medication is to take several sips of water before taking oral medications.
4. One intervention to prevent esophageal irritation from taking medication is to sit up in a chair for at least 30 minutes after taking oral medications.
5. In the client with esophageal irritation, coffee is avoided due to its effects on the lower esophageal sphincter.