Before administering a vaginal medication, what should you ensure the patient does?

Ensuring that a patient relieves their bladder before administering a vaginal medication is crucial for several reasons. First, a full bladder can lead to discomfort or a feeling of urgency during the administration process. This discomfort may distract the patient and potentially hinder the effectiveness of the medication being delivered.

Additionally, having an empty bladder helps to provide a clearer pathway for the medication to be properly absorbed by the vaginal tissues. It minimizes the risk of the medication inadvertently causing pressure or irritation in the bladder from a full urinary system.

Furthermore, an empty bladder can help the patient feel more secure and less anxious during the procedure, thereby allowing for better compliance and an easier administration process. In some cases, if the bladder is too full, it might also risk displacing the medication after administration when the patient tries to urinate. Therefore, encouraging patients to relieve their bladder establishes a more comfortable and effective environment for medication administration.