Question

The nurse is caring for a client who has late-stage dementia. Prior to administering oral medications, what is the appropriate nursing action?

A. Change medication route to intramuscular.
B. Mix the drug with pudding.
C. Request that the provider obtain a speech therapist's evaluation.
D. Administer medication with water to drink.

Answer 1

The appropriate nursing action is to administer the medication with water to drink.

Step-by-step explanation:

The appropriate nursing action before administering oral medications to a client with late-stage dementia is to administer the medication with water to drink. Since the client can swallow, giving the medication orally is the most common and recommended route. Changing the medication route to intramuscular (choice A) would not be appropriate without a specific indication. Mixing the drug with pudding (choice B) may not be safe as it may alter the drug's effectiveness or absorption. Requesting a speech therapist's evaluation (choice C) would not be the initial action in this situation.