Question

Billy, a 2-year old with a cough and runny nose, is brought to Dr. Merry's office by his mother. Dr. Merry examines Billy and prescribes liquid medication for his symptoms. Billy's mother tells you that Billy always wants to drink water after taking cough syrup.

1. Is this a matter that requires patient education? Why or why not?

2. What kind of measuring equipment would you tell Billy's mother to use for accurate administration of medicine? Please explain your answer.

3. Billy's mother also tells you she has to call medicine "candy" to get him to take it. Is this a safe practice? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Ans) 1) About more Patient education, Absolutely not, as drinking water isn't going to change that; in fact, drinking a glass of water with some cough medicines is a very good idea.

- There are two medicines seen most often in cough syrups.

- When taken in conjunction with plenty of fluids, it can help to loosen the mucus that's causing the cough so that you can hack it up.

2) To measure accurately the dose of medicine, can use the white plastic cap of the bottle on it as it has marking over it.

- If it is unavailable then can tell her to use teaspoon where 1 tsp is 5ml & can administer with dropper for dose adequacy.

3) Yes, it is safe practice as kids nowadays are aware that medicine are bitter to taste.

- So instead saying that it is medicine, it is better to tell them that is candy as after taking it, after sometime they tend to forget the false told by parents.