- Prepare to administer prescribed antibiotics, analgesics, antitussives and decongestants.
- Encourage the client to gargle with warm saline gargles and use throat lozenges.
- Instruct the client that the temperature of saline should be sufficiently high to be effective and should be as hot as the client can tolerate.
- Instruct the client to apply an ice collar to severe sore throats.
- Instruct the client on proper mouth care.
- Instruct the client to have a liquid or soft diet.
- Encourage the client to increase fluid intake to 2,000 ml/per day
- Discourage the client from eating spicy foods and drinking juices that are acidic.
- If the client is unable to drink, fluids may be administered IV.
- Instruct the client to take all antibiotics, even if he is feeling better.
- Encourage the client to avoid exposure to irritants, smoking, secondhand smoke, and exposure to cold and alcohol.
- Encourage the client to avoid contact with individuals with upper respiratory infections.
- Encourage the client to use a disposable mask when exposed to environmental and occupational pollutants.
