RABOY, HAIZEL BSN 2B

Special Nursing Considerations before Administering Oral Medications in a Transcultural

Aspect

 No oral medications during Ramadan.

 Fasting Muslims may create a challenge for the administration of drugs as they may
refuse treatment. It is important for healthcare professionals to take the time to explain
the importance of the medication to the patient. An informed and respectful approach
will go a long way to helping the patient make the correct decision.
 In Islam, oral medicines containing pork or gelatin based are prohibited. Use gelatin-free
alternatives such as antibiotic liquids or halal gelatin tablets.
 Magnesium stearate is forbidden in tablets when derived from an animal source. If it is
an emergency and an alternative is not readily available, the drug may be used, but this
should be explained to the patient. Islam permits the use of any drug in a life-
threatening situation.
 In Judaism, prescribers need to consider and alert their patients about oral medications
that might contain wheat starch during the festival of Passover, when wheat, barley,
rye, oats and spelt are not permitted.
 In Hinduism, the use of bovine-based oral drugs or cartilage transplants derived from
cattle, would have belief implications for Hindu patients, as well as for some vegans and
vegetarians.
 Supplements with active ingredients that could be derived from animal products are
forbidden in some religions. Including: calcium tablets, from animal bones; glucosamine,
from shrimp, lobster and crab shells; chondroitin from shark, bovine or porcine
cartilage; and heme iron supplements, from animal blood.
 Medicinal products containing alcohol are not permissible although some religious
leaders consider that if the alcohol is used for the purpose of dissolving or preservation
only, it can be deemed halal.
 Language barriers adherence when communicating health information.
 People with an Asian background are more likely to believe that modern medication is
harmful and even addictive. In their view, this type of medication should be avoided.
 Cultural beliefs, religious practices, and lifestyle of African-Americans may interfere with
hypertension treatment regimen because they may choose to use homeopathic
medication such as garlic pills, vitamins, or herbs in place of prescribed medications.
COMPLICATIONS NURSING RESPONSIBILITIES
Nasal route of drug administration is not Check the patient’s chart or ask the patient for
suitable for drugs that are irritating or any allergies. Do not repeat the dosage if the
injurious to the nasal mucosa. patient sneezes immediately after
administering nose drops. You cannot
determine how much medication was actually
absorbed.
Diseases conditions of the nose may result in Know the actions, special nursing
impaired absorption. considerations, safe dose ranges, purpose of
administration, and adverse effects of the
medication to be administered.
Nasal congestion due to cold or allergic Consider the appropriateness of the
condition may interfere with this technique of medication for this patient. Report this to the
drug delivery. provider if this route of administration is not
suitable for the patient.
Frequent use of this route may lead to Inform the patient that frequent use because
mucosal damage/or irritation of nasal mucosa. of the risk of long term effects of the nasal
epithelium.
Mechanical loss of the dosage form could Healthcare workers should continually update
occur due to improper administration their knowledge regarding the correct skills or
technique. technique in administering.
Overused nasal steroid spray had an adverse If an adverse effect is suspected, withhold
effect including: blood in nasal mucus, runny further medication doses and notify the
nose, fever, dizziness, and bronchitis. patient’s primary healthcare provider.
Additional intervention is based on type of
reaction and patient assessment.
Most addictive route of administration Advice the patient to not used this route of
because it hits the brain so quickly. administration frequently. Informed about the
actions, side effects. On-going assessment is
an important part of nursing care to evaluate
patient response to administered medications
and early detection of adverse effects.
Certain surfactants used as chemical Check and read the directions provided by the
enhancers may disrupt and even dissolve the pharmaceutical companies about the
membrane in high concentration. formulation.
Relatively inconvenient to patient’s when Administering medications through the nose
compared to oral route since there’s a as an alternative to injections or IVs is
possibility of nasal irritability and nasal cavity becoming increasingly popular in emergency
provides smaller absorption surface area departments and ambulances, according to a
when compared to GIT. paper by Loyola Medicine pharmacists (2017).