Consumer trends in self diagnosis, home testing and over the counter medication: implications for the registered nurse.

Consumers are being called upon to assume more responsibility for their own health promotion and disease prevention practices. This challenge has motivated consumers to embrace the use of over the counter medications (OTC) and self testing devices with enthusiasm. Indeed, many chronic and short term ailments respond well to OTC's. Pharmaceutical companies, anxious to expand their profit margins, have bombarded consumers with intensive advertising. This information highway has made product names household words. The attendant dangers with OTC's are the same as for prescribed medications. Self testing devices are likewise subject to misinterpretation. This new patient independence has created additional challenges for registered nurses.