A key nursing consideration when administering NSAIDs is to

• A. Administer at bedtime
• B. Increase fluid intake to avoid dehydration
• C. Give with food and monitor kidney function
• D. Do not monitor kidney function

Answer: (C)

NSAIDs can irritate the stomach lining and reduce renal perfusion by inhibiting prostaglandins, so the key nursing actions focus on protecting the GI tract and watching kidney function. Giving NSAIDs with food helps minimize GI upset and ulcer risk, while monitoring kidney function (urine output, creatinine, BUN) is essential because NSAIDs can cause nephrotoxicity, especially in dehydration, the elderly, preexisting kidney disease, or when combined with other nephrotoxic meds. Good hydration supports kidney health, and avoiding unnecessary nephrotoxic combinations is important. Administering at bedtime or relying on fluids alone without kidney monitoring does not address these primary safety concerns, and not monitoring kidney function would miss early signs of injury.