When should the nurse serve the medication? The physician has prescribed Nexium (esomeprazole) for a client with erosive gastritis.

With each meal

Proton pump inhibitors such as Nexium and Protonix should be taken with meals, for optimal effect. Histamine-blocking agents such as Zantac should be taken 30 minutes before meals, so taking 30 minutes before meals is incorrect. Tagamet can be taken in a single dose at bedtime, taking in a single dose at bedtime incorrect. Taking 30 minutes after meals does not treat the problem adequately and, therefore, is incorrect.