Test question, just wanted your thoughts

Personally I'd start bugging our medical director for tylenol with codine (2 birds, 1 stone).

I'm guessing the right answer is Codine. It addresses BOTH the pain and the cough.

I'm interested in other people's perspectives.

Do you have the "right" answer?

antibiotic! NCLEX is looking for less than 4 hrs door to hang time.

Pt admitted to unit with T-101.8, cough, and pain rated 7/10. Which med would the nurse anticipate giving first?

a) antihistamine
b) antibiotic
c) Tylenol
d) Codeine

You always treat the worst symptoms first. But, with fever, cough and pain you must recognize that the patient is experiencing some sort of infection. Fever and pain are symptoms of inflammation (cardinal signs are redness, heat, swelling and pain) which accompany infection. The cough would indicate that the infection is probably respiratory in nature. The doctor will also be doing the same, treating the symptoms. He also has the ability to target the underlying cause of the symptoms--the infection. He is going to order something for this infection and want that started ASAP. So, as a collaborator in the care of the patient the nurse needs to get the antibiotic started immediately. The medications for the other symptoms of the fever, cough and pain can be given afterward.