Question

A child's physician orders a drug for home use. Before the child is discharged, the nurse should:

1. teach the family how to adjust the drug dosage according to the child's needs.
2. provide the family with the drug's name, dosage, route, and frequency of administration.
3. instruct the family to encourage the child to take responsibility for ensuring timely drug administration.
4. tell the family to avoid explaining the purpose of the medication to the child.

Answer 1

Before a child is discharged with a prescribed medication, the nurse should teach the family about adjusting the dosage, provide important drug information, encourage the child's responsibility in taking the medication, and advise against explaining the purpose of the medication to the child.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a child's physician orders a drug for home use, there are several important steps the nurse should take before the child is discharged.

1. Teach the family how to adjust the drug dosage according to the child's needs. This is important because the dosage of medication given during a certain time interval, known as the dosage, must be carefully determined to ensure that the drug is effective without causing significant side effects.
2. Provide the family with important information about the drug, including its name, dosage, route of administration, and frequency of administration. This ensures that the family is well-informed and can properly administer the medication at home.
3. Instruct the family to encourage the child to take responsibility for ensuring timely drug administration. This helps the child develop an understanding of their medication and promotes adherence to the prescribed treatment plan.
4. Tell the family to avoid explaining the purpose of the medication to the child. While it is important for the child to understand their medication, it is best for this information to be provided by the healthcare provider or physician.