Case Studies
(LO 11-8) A patient comes to the clinic and tells you he is bothered by a dry, hacking cough. He can’t bring up anything, yet the cough continues. He wants to know what is causing this. What should you tell him? The physician orders dextromethorphan ( Dimetapp DM ). What is this drug, and what is its purpose? The patient asks you what else he can do to bring up secretions. What is the side effect you should monitor the patient for? ________________________________________________________
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The patient is experiencing an unproductive cough. It is caused by when mucus is clogged in the lower respiratory tract or when irritation in the throat stimulates repeated coughing.
Dimetapp is a nonnarcotic antitussive which is prescribed to suppress the cough. Patient education should include increasing fluids and inhalation of steam. These measures may thin and increase the production of secretions.