What common side effect might a nurse expect when administering diphenhydramine?

Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine commonly used to treat allergic reactions, motion sickness, and to induce sleep. A well-known side effect of diphenhydramine is dry mouth, which occurs due to its anticholinergic properties. These properties lead to reduced salivary gland secretion, resulting in a classic symptom of dryness in the mouth.

Understanding the mechanism behind this helps reinforce why dry mouth is often expected when administering diphenhydramine. The sedative effects and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier can lead to other side effects, but dry mouth is particularly common due to its direct impact on the body's secretory glands. Recognizing this side effect is important for nurses to provide effective patient care, anticipating potential discomfort and offering solutions to manage it.