Question

As a nurse you will need to prepare a teaching plan for a patient receiving Antihistamine. What instructions should the nurse include in the teaching plan for educating such patient?

Answer 1

Antihistamines are drugs which are often used to relieve symptoms of allergies such as fever , insect bites, conjuctivitis etc.Antihistamines block the release or action of histamine a chemical released during inflammation that increases secretions and narrow airways.

The major nursing interventions should be  

1) proper administration-nurse should tell the patient for a proper administration to increase the absorbtion of drug efficiently.1 hour before meals or 2 hour after meals are mostly suggested.

2) drug effectiveness- nurse should ask patient for the response to these agents as to find the proper one that is more effective and suits best for the patient.  

3) Relief from dry mouth-because of drying nature of these drugs patients should be suggested with a sugar candies or lozenges to relieve some of these discomforts.

4) increase fluid intake-suggested to decrease thickened secretions and dry nasal mucosa.

5) skin care- skin care methods should be suggested if skin dryness and lesions become a problem.

6) Avoid alcohol-serious sedation can occur .

7) Avoid OTC drugs-problem of toxicity can occur.

8) Ensure voiding-To decrease urinary retention.

9) Health teaching- teach patient including drug name and prescribed dosage ,adverse effects,warning signs etc

10) encourage patient support to cope up with this disease and drug regime.