A client says to the admitting nurse, "Why do you need to know the names of all the over-the-counter supplements I take? They aren't drugs." Which responses by the nurse are the most appropriate?

1. "The admitting physician needs to know everything you are taking."
2. "You're right. I'm not sure why the admitting paperwork asks for this information. Would you mind listing them anyway?"
3. "The law requires us to keep a list of over-the-counter drugs and supplements that you are taking."
4. "It is true that supplements are not considered drugs; however, some of these products can cause adverse effects with prescribed drugs."
5. "We need to know if you are having an allergic reaction to one of them."


Correct Answer: 1,4
Rationale 1: The health care providers involved in this client's care will need to know everything she is taking—both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC).
Rationale 2: While it is true that supplements are not considered drugs, there is a specific reason why the health care team needs to know this information, which is the reason for the requested list on the paperwork. The nurse's answer did not address the client's question appropriately.
Rationale 3: No law requires hospitals to keep records of OTC drugs and supplements that clients take. This information is needed, however, for other reasons.
Rationale 4: Supplements are not subject to the same regulatory process as drugs, and some of these products can cause adverse effects and interact with medications.
Rationale 5: It is possible that this client could be having an allergic reaction, but there is not enough information to determine this, and this is not the main reason why the health care team needs to know what OTC medications she is taking.
Global Rationale: The health care providers involved in this client's care will need to know everything she is taking—both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC). Supplements are not subject to the same regulatory process as drugs, and some of these products can cause adverse effects and interact with medications. While it is true that supplements are not considered drugs, there is a specific reason why the health care team needs to know this information, which is the reason for the requested list on the paperwork. The nurse's answer did not address the client's question appropriately. No law requires hospitals to keep records of OTC drugs and supplements that clients take. This information is needed, however, for other reasons. It is possible that this client could be having an allergic reaction, but there is not enough information to determine this, and this is not the main reason why the health care team needs to know what OTC medications she is taking.

Nursing

You might also like to view...

During genetic testing, one parent is found to have a chromosomal abnormality without any physical or mental disability; however, the offspring has inherited physical and/or mental disability

During patient education, the nurse explains that the type of individual who can have a chromosomal abnormality without any disability but can cause his offspring to receive chromosomal alterations and disability is the parent with: 1. Dominant-gene structural chromosomal inversions. 2. Mosaicism. 3. Dominant-gene structural chromosomal balanced translocations. 4. Dominant-gene structural chromosomal deletions.

Nursing

Which of the following persons is said to have a dual diagnosis?

a. The anorexic adolescent suffering from depression b. The school-aged child suffering from a learning disorder and asthma c. The older adult suffering from hypertension and diabetes d. The young adult suffering from psychosis and smokes marijuana regularly

Nursing

The nurse is caring for a client admitted to the intensive care unit after incurring a basilar skull fracture. Which complication of this injury does the nurse monitor for?

a. Aspiration b. Hemorrhage c. Pulmonary embolus d. Myocardial infarction

Nursing

Express the dosage using the official symbol/abbreviation: thirty thousand units

What will be an ideal response?

Nursing