Question

A client with a gastric ulcer is prescribed both magnesium hydroxide and cimetidine twice daily. How should the nurse schedule the medications for administration?

1.Drink 8 ounces of water between taking each medication.
2.Administer the cimetidine and magnesium hydroxide at the same time twice daily.
3.Administer each dose of cimetidine 1 hour prior to the administration of magnesium hydroxide.
4.Collaborate with the health care provider (HCP), as the client should not be receiving both medications.

Answer 1

The nurse should administer cimetidine one hour before magnesium hydroxide to allow each medication to work effectively, as cimetidine decreases stomach acid production and magnesium hydroxide neutralizes existing excess acid.

Step-by-step explanation:

A client with a gastric ulcer is prescribed both magnesium hydroxide and cimetidine twice daily. When scheduling these medications for administration, the nurse should administer each dose of cimetidine 1 hour prior to the administration of magnesium hydroxide. This allows cimetidine, an H2 blocker, to reduce the acidity in the stomach without immediate neutralization by the antacid properties of magnesium hydroxide. It is important that these drugs are not taken simultaneously to ensure each medication can work effectively. Cimetidine should be given time to decrease the amount of acid made in the stomach before magnesium hydroxide is administered to neutralize the excess acid that is already present.