What should a patient do with the liquid nystatin before measuring a dose?

The correct action for a patient to take with liquid nystatin before measuring a dose is to shake the oral suspension. This is important because liquid medications, especially those like nystatin that can contain active ingredients suspended in a solution, may separate over time. Shaking helps to ensure that the medication is homogeneously mixed so that each dose contains the appropriate amount of active ingredient.

By properly shaking the bottle, the patient ensures that they are receiving the correct dosage, as the active components are evenly distributed throughout the liquid. Measuring without shaking could lead to inconsistent dosing, where the patient might get a dose that is either too weak or too strong, which could impact the effectiveness of the treatment.

In contrast, storing the liquid in an upright position is generally a good practice for many medications to prevent leakage, but it doesn't specifically affect the dosing accuracy. Using a kitchen spoon is not advisable as it may not provide a standardized measurement, leading to potential dosing errors. Additionally, measuring without shaking could result in imprecise dosing, as previously mentioned. Thus, shaking the oral suspension is essential for ensuring that the patient receives the correct and effective dosage.