An adult patient has asked the nurse to recommend an OTC cold remedy because she is unsure which of the many options available is most appropriate. Before making a recommendation, the nurse should do which of the following?

Question

A) Consult with a pharmacist or pharmacy technician.
B) Assess the patient's understanding of the epidemiology of the common cold and upper respiratory infections.
C) Assess the patient for health problems that may contraindicate the use of a particular remedy.
D) Ensure that the patient has tried some of the more common herbal and natural remedies.

Answer 1

C
Feedback:
Before recommending a particular product, the nurse needs to assess the intended recipient for conditions or other medications that contraindicate the product's use. Herbal options do not need to precede pharmaceuticals, and the nurse does not necessarily need to consult with a pharmacist or pharmacy technician. The patient's understanding of the epidemiology of the common cold is not a high priority.