What important instruction should a nurse provide to a parent administering oral nystatin for oral candidiasis?

Oral nystatin is an antifungal medication commonly used to treat oral candidiasis, particularly in pediatric patients. When guiding a parent on how to administer this medication, the key instruction is to shake the medication prior to administration. This is crucial because nystatin is often suspended in a solution, and the active ingredients can settle at the bottom of the container. Shaking the bottle helps to evenly distribute the medication, ensuring that the child receives the correct dosage of the active ingredient when it is given.

Providing this instruction helps parents effectively combat the fungal infection by ensuring that their child receives the full therapeutic benefit of the medication. If the medication is not shaken, the concentration of nystatin may be inconsistent, leading to ineffective treatment and potential recurrence of the infection. Therefore, shaking the medication is an essential step in the administration process to ensure safety and efficacy.