Question

Before administering medications SL route, the nurse should: (Select all that apply)

a) Assess the patient's swallowing ability
b) Offer a glass of water for administration
c) Instruct the patient to swallow the medication quickly
d) Verify the order with another nurse

Answer 1

Before administering medications via the SL (sublingual) route, the nurse should assess the patient's swallowing ability, offer a glass of water if necessary, and instruct the patient to hold the medication under the tongue until it dissolves.

Step-by-step explanation:

Before administering medications via the SL (sublingual) route, the nurse should:

• Assess the patient's swallowing ability to ensure that they can safely take the medication.
• Offer a glass of water for administration if needed, as some medications may require it.
• Instruct the patient to hold the medication under the tongue until it dissolves, avoid swallowing it quickly.
• Verification of the medication order with another nurse is not specifically required for SL route administration.