Question

An older client returns to the clinic and received refills on several medications. The client shares concerns with the nurse about having to take so many medications and asks if one pill can be substituted for many of the others. Which instruction should the nurse implement to address the clients concerns?

A. Do not take any over the counter drugs while taking medications prescribed by the health care provider
B. Make certain a family member knows the name and use of all medications currently being taken
C. Use a medication reminder system to prevent forgetting to take the right medications at the right time
D. Bring all medications, supplements, and herbs currently being taken to the next clinic appointment

Answer 1

The nurse should instruct the client to bring all medications currently being taken to the next clinic appointment, allowing the healthcare provider to review the regimen and potentially substitute or eliminate medications.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should implement instruction D, which is to bring all medications, supplements, and herbs currently being taken to the next clinic appointment. This will allow the healthcare provider to review the client's entire medication regimen and determine if any medications can be substituted or eliminated. It is important to have a complete understanding of all the medications being taken to ensure safe and effective treatment.

By bringing all medications to the appointment, the nurse can help the client avoid any potential interactions or duplications in their medication regimen. Additionally, the healthcare provider can assess the client's specific needs and determine if any medications can be consolidated or replaced with alternative options.

A medication review can also help identify any over-the-counter drugs that may need to be discontinued while taking prescription medications, which addresses option A. Having a family member who knows the name and use of all medications (option B) is a good practice, but it does not directly address the concern of reducing the number of medications. While using a medication reminder system (option C) is helpful for medication adherence, it does not necessarily address the client's concern about taking multiple medications.