A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed amantadine for the treatment of the influenza A virus. After administration of the drug, the client complains of dry mouth

Question

Which of the following instructions should the nurse offer the client to help relieve dry mouth?

A) Instruct the client to take ice chips frequently.
B) Encourage the client to take small, frequent meals.
C) Instruct the client to avoid protein-rich foods.
D) Stop the use of the antiparkinsonism drug by the client.

Answer 1

Ans: A
Feedback:
The nurse should instruct the client to suck on ice chips or hard candy (if allowed). The nurse should also instruct the client to take frequent sips of water throughout the day and between meals. The nurse encourages the client to have small, frequent meals when the client experiences a GI disturbance and not when the client complains of dry mouth. The nurse also need not instruct the client to avoid protein-rich foods because this will not reduce the client's discomfort due to dry mouth. The nurse should stop the use of the antiparkinsonism drug when the client complains of severe nausea or vomiting and not when the client is experiencing dry mouth. If dry mouth is so severe that there is difficulty in swallowing or speaking, or if loss of appetite and weight loss occur, the dosage of the antiparkinsonism drug may be reduced but not stopped completely.