Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 87%
Simulated
A client with a cold is taking the antitussive medication benzonatate. Which assessment information indicates to the nurse that the medication is effective?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
The correct answer is A: Denies having coughing spells. Benzonatate is an antitussive medication that helps suppress coughing. If the client denies having coughing spells, it indicates that the medication is effective in reducing coughing. This assessment information is directly related to the desired effect of the antitussive medication. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not directly reflect the effectiveness of benzonatate in suppressing cough. Able to sleep through the night (B) may be influenced by factors other than coughing, expectorating bronchial secretions (C) indicates productive coughing which is not the goal of antitussive medication, and reduced nasal discharge (D) is not a primary effect of benzonatate.