A patient who has a nonproductive cough will begin taking guaifenesin to help with secretions. When teaching this patient about the medication, the nurse will provide which instruction?
a. "Avoid driving or using heavy machinery."
b. "Drink extra water while taking the medication."
c. "Monitor urine output closely."
d. "Take with an oral antihistamine for better effects."
ANS: B
Guaifenesin is an expectorant, and patients taking this medication should be advised to increase fluid intake to at least 8 glasses of water per day. (Remember to assess for contraindications to increasing fluid intake [e.g., heart failure, kidney failure with dialysis, etc.].) Guaifenesin does not cause drowsiness or urinary retention. Antihistamines will dry secretions, making them harder to expectorate.
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