What should be done after administering nasal medication?

After administering nasal medication, it is important for the client to sniff or breathe through their nose. This action helps to ensure that the medication is properly absorbed into the nasal mucosa and can be effectively delivered to the intended area, such as for localized treatment or systemic effects. Sniffing encourages the medication to reach further up into the nasal cavity where it can have the desired therapeutic effect.

The choice of having the client sniff or breathe through their nose minimizes the potential for the medication to drip back down the throat or be expelled, ensuring that the full dosage is utilized and enhancing overall efficacy. Furthermore, this approach aligns with standard practices in medication administration, which prioritize maximizing absorption and effectiveness.

Other options may lead to reduced effectiveness of the medication. For instance, asking the client to swallow would allow the medication to bypass the nasal mucosa and could decrease its intended effect. Waiting for 15 minutes might not be necessary, as the focus should be on facilitating absorption immediately after administration, rather than waiting without any further action. Instructing the client to lay down may not provide any specific benefit and could potentially hinder the medication's absorption by altering the position of the nasal passage and medication distribution.