A priority for the nurse in the administration of oral medications and prevention of aspiration is:

Question

A. Checking for a gag reflex
B. Allowing the client to self-administer
C. Assessing the ability to cough
D. Using straws and extra water for administration

Answer 1

A
A. To protect the client from aspiration, the nurse should determine the presence of a gag reflex before administering oral medications.
B. The nurse should first check for a gag reflex. Then, if possible, the client should be allowed to self-administer oral medications.
C. Checking for a gag reflex takes priority over assessing the ability to cough in preventing aspiration.
D. Straws should be avoided because they decrease the control the client has over volume intake, which increases the risk of aspiration. Some clients cannot tolerate thin liquids such as water and need them to be thickened.