Question

"Kathy is taking a medication history from an elderly patient who has been prescribed multiple medications by his PCP as well as several specialists. During the history, Kathy discovers the patient also takes a number of OTC drugs. What patient education information about OTC drugs should Kathy share with this patient?"

a) OTC drugs may interact with prescription medications, and it is essential to inform healthcare providers about all medications being taken.
b) Patients should be aware of potential side effects and interactions of OTC drugs, even though they are available without a prescription.
c) It's important to read labels carefully and follow recommended doses of OTC medications to avoid adverse effects.
d) Some OTC drugs may contain the same active ingredients as prescription medications, leading to unintentional overdosing if not used cautiously.

Answer 1

Kathy should inform the patient that OTC drugs can interact with prescription medications, have potential side effects, require careful reading of labels and recommended doses, and may contain ingredients also found in prescription drugs that can lead to unintentional overdosing.

Step-by-step explanation:

When educating a patient about OTC drugs, Kathy should emphasize several key points:

• OTC drugs may interact with prescription medications, and patients should always inform healthcare providers about all medications they are taking, including OTC products.
• Even though OTC drugs can be obtained without a prescription, patients should be aware of their potential side effects and interactions with other medication.
• Reading labels carefully and following the recommended doses of OTC medications is important to avoid adverse effects and ensure safe use.
• Some OTC drugs may contain the same active ingredients as prescription medications, leading to unintentional overdosing if not monitored.

These precautions help prevent complications and ensure that patients are using OTC drugs safely in conjunction with their prescribed medication regimen.