Question

The physician has ordered Neoral (cyclosporine) for a client following a renal transplant. A suitable beverage to increase the palatability of the medication is: A. Apple juice B. Chocolate milk C. Grape juice D. Carbonated soda

Short answer

#Short Answer# Apple juice would be the most suitable beverage to increase the palatability of Neoral (cyclosporine) medication for a client following a renal transplant. It is a clear and mild-tasting beverage that can help mask the medication's taste without altering its effectiveness, and it does not pose the risks associated with the other options such as chocolate milk, grape juice, or carbonated soda.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the medication and its purpose

Neoral (cyclosporine) is an immunosuppressant drug used to prevent the body from rejecting a transplanted organ, such as in the case of a renal transplant. To ensure the medication is effective and the patient is more likely to take it, it is essential to select a suitable beverage that can help improve its taste.

Evaluate the beverage options

We need to evaluate the given options - apple juice, chocolate milk, grape juice, and carbonated soda - for their ability to increase the palatability of Neoral without affecting its therapeutic function. A. Apple juice: Apple juice is a clear and mild-tasting beverage that can help mask the medication's taste without altering its effectiveness. B. Chocolate milk: While chocolate milk has a strong taste, it is not recommended for patients undergoing renal transplant as it may lead to increased levels of potassium and phosphate in the blood, especially if there are dietary restrictions in place. C. Grape juice: Grape juice, especially those made from red or purple grapes, is known to interfere with certain medications because it may affect how they are metabolized in the body. For this reason, grape juice is not recommended. D. Carbonated soda: Carbonated soda may cause acidity and bloating and should be avoided by patients taking Neoral as it might lead to gastrointestinal discomfort.

Choose the correct option

Based on the analysis above, the most suitable beverage to increase the palatability of Neoral without affecting its effectiveness or causing adverse effects in the patient would be: A. Apple juice