A patient who experiences motion sickness when flying asks the nurse the best time to take the medication prescribed to prevent motion sickness for a 0900 flight. The nurse will instruct the patient to take the medication at which time?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient should take the medication just prior to boarding the plane, around 0830, so that it has time to take effect before the flight takes off. Taking the medication too early could result in it wearing off before the end of the flight, whereas taking it too late may not give it enough time to work. It is not recommended to take the medication as needed at the first sign of nausea, as it is intended as a preventive measure, and taking it when seated just prior to takeoff may not be enough time for it to take effect.

A Patient Who Experiences Motion Sickness When Flying Asks the Nurse