A patients states that she would prefer not to take her daily allergy pill this morning because it makes her too drowsy throughout the day. The nurse responds therapeutically by saying,

Question

a. "The physician ordered it; therefore you must take your medication every morning at the same time whether you're drowsy or not."
b. "Let's change the time you take your pill to 9 PM, so the drowsiness occurs when you would normally be sleeping."
c. "You can skip this medication on days when you need to be awake and alert."
d. "Try to get as much done as you can before you take your pill, so you can sleep in the afternoon."

Answer 1

ANS: B
The nurse should use knowledge about the medication to educate the patient about potential response to medications. Then the medication schedule can be altered based on that knowledge, after the physician has been notified. It is the patient's right to refuse her medication; however, the nurse should educate the patient on the importance and effects of her medication. Asking a patient to change her entire life schedule around a medication is unreasonable and will decrease compliance. The nurse should be supportive and should offer solutions to manage medication effects.