A client is prescribed the decongestant oxymetazoline (Afrin) nasal spray. What should the nurse teach the client?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Examining the list of statements about teaching a client to use oxymetazoline (Afrin) nasal spray, several points require careful consideration.
Option 1: 'This drug may be used in maintenance treatment for asthma.' This is inaccurate. Oxymetazoline is a topical nasal decongestant used to relieve nasal congestion, not a maintenance therapy for asthma, and it does not address underlying airway hyperreactivity. It is inappropriate to suggest it for asthma maintenance.
Option 2: 'Directly spray away from the nasal septum and gently sniff.' This describes a reasonable technique: aiming the spray toward the lateral nasal wall away from the septum can help minimize septal irritation or damage. The word 'gently sniff' can also align with minimizing irritation. However, while this describes a correct administration technique, it does not convey the most critical safety concern associated with oxymetazoline, which is the potential for rebound congestion with prolonged use. Therefore, as a sole teaching point it is helpful but not the most priorities-focused safety instruction.
Option 3: 'Limit the drug to 5 days of use to prevent rebound nasal congestion.' This directly addresses a well-known and critical safety guideline for intranasal decongestants: using for more than about 3–5 days can lead to rebound congestion and diminished effectiveness. It captures the key safety management concept that is essential for patient education and is the best single instruction for preventing a common adverse outcome.
Option 4: 'Take this drug at bedtime as a sleep aid.' This is incorrect and harmful framing. Oxymetazoline is not a sleep aid and using a decongestant at night to aid sleep is inappropriate; it could mask symptoms or lead to misuse and side effects such as tachycardia or insomnia in sensitive individuals.
In summary, while option 2 offers a valid technique of administration, option 3 provides the most important and specific safety guidance to prevent rebound congestion, making it the best teaching point among the choices. Options 1 and 4 are clearly inaccurate regarding indications and use.

A client is prescribed the decongestant oxymetazoline (Afrin) nasal spray. What should the nurse teach the client?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is prescribed for a patient with uncomplicated UTI. What patient teaching should the nurse provide to the patient with this medication therapy? (select all that apply)

Five minutes after receiving the ordered preoperative midazolam by IV injection, the patient asks to get up to go to the bathroom to urinate. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

A few months ago, Cathy was diagnosed with depression. Her psychiatrist prescribed Zoloft, but after taking it for a while, she felt like it wasn’t helping, so she stopped taking it and started using the herbal supplement St. John’s wort instead. It would be wise for Cathy to:

A nurse is instructing the parents of a client who has a new prescription for methylphenidate. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

A nurse is teaching a client who has bipolar disorder and a prescription for lithium to recognize the manifestations of toxicity. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

A nurse is teaching a patient about the acetaminophen prescribed by the provider. Which information is important to include in this discussion?

Your patient is taking HRT for relief of post-menopausal symptoms, and reports a recent habit of smoking. As a nurse, you know that smoking while taking HRT increases the risk of a thromboembolic event therefore educate the patient.

Client education for a person taking Progesterone may include:

More Practical Tools for International Students

Exam Browser Assistant

Stylized Writing Assistant

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation Assistant

In-Class Translation Assistant

Class Notes Assistant

Quiz Search Assistant

Past Exam Questions by School

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler