What is the best advice a nurse can give a patient with viral rhinitis who intends to purchase an over-the-counter (OTC) combination cold remedy?
a. "These remedies provide precise dosing for each symptom you are experiencing."
b. "These agents are best used in conjunction with an antibiotic medication."
c. "It is more prudent to use a single-agent preparation if you are experiencing only one symptom."
d. "Because these agents are available over the counter, it is safe to use any of them as long as needed."
C
A single agent would be a better choice, so that the patient is not taking unnecessary ingredients.
Although convenient, combination cold remedies have disadvantages. These combinations all contain fixed doses, so there is a chance that one ingredient will be therapeutic, whereas another may be excessive or subtherapeutic.
Antibiotics are not indicated for the common cold. Treatment is purely based on symptoms.
Just because a cold remedy can be purchased over the counter, the patient should not assume it is safe. Many cold remedies contain two or more medications. Patients should read labels carefully and check with the prescriber or pharmacist.
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