A client with a history of anaphylactic reaction to penicillin receives a prescription for cephalexin 500 mg PO twice daily. Which action should the nurse take?

Contact the healthcare provider.

Give with prescribed antihistamine.

Administer the medication as prescribed.

Monitor the client for a rash or hives.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A Reason:

Contact the healthcare provider: Given the client’s history of anaphylactic reaction to penicillin, there is a potential risk of cross-reactivity with cephalexin, a cephalosporin. Although the risk of cross-reactivity is relatively low, it is still significant enough to warrant caution. Studies indicate that 1-4% of people with a true penicillin allergy may also react to cephalosporins. Therefore, the nurse should contact the healthcare provider to discuss alternative antibiotics or additional precautions.

Choice B Reason:

Give with prescribed antihistamine: While antihistamines can help manage mild allergic reactions, they are not sufficient to prevent or treat anaphylaxis. Anaphylactic reactions require immediate medical intervention, including epinephrine administration. Therefore, relying solely on antihistamines is not an appropriate or safe action in this scenario.

Choice C Reason:

Administer the medication as prescribed: Administering cephalexin without consulting the healthcare provider could put the client at risk of a severe allergic reaction. Given the client’s history of anaphylaxis to penicillin, it is crucial to verify the safety of cephalexin with the healthcare provider before administration.

Choice D Reason:

Monitor the client for a rash or hives: While monitoring for allergic reactions is essential, it should not be the primary action in this case. The priority is to prevent a potential severe allergic reaction by consulting the healthcare provider before administering the medication. Monitoring alone does not address the underlying risk of cross-reactivity.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Bupropion is known to cause side effects such as insomnia and weight loss. These side effects are due to its stimulant properties, which can interfere with sleep patterns and suppress appetite1. Patients should be informed about these potential side effects so they can monitor their symptoms and seek medical advice if necessary.

Choice B reason: While changes in taste can occur with some medications, it is not a common side effect of bupropion. Therefore, it is not necessary to specifically instruct patients to notify their healthcare provider about changes in taste when taking bupropion.

Choice C reason: There is no specific requirement to administer bupropion with 8 ounces of water. Bupropion can be taken with or without food, and the amount of water consumed with the medication does not impact its effectiveness.

Choice D reason: Consuming tyramine-free foods is crucial for patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) due to the risk of hypertensive crisis. However, bupropion is not an MAOI, so this dietary restriction is not applicable.

A. Decreased episodes of incontinence. B. Improved ability to concentrate. C. Exhibits fewer emotional outbursts. D. Sleeps soundly through the night.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Zolpidem is primarily prescribed for the short-term treatment of insomnia. It works by enhancing the activity of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at the GABA-A receptor, which helps to induce sleep. While improved sleep can indirectly affect other conditions, such as incontinence, decreased episodes of incontinence are not a direct outcome of zolpidem administration.

Choice B reason: Improved ability to concentrate is not a primary outcome of zolpidem treatment. Zolpidem is a sedative-hypnotic medication used to treat insomnia by helping patients fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. While better sleep can improve overall cognitive function, the primary goal of zolpidem is to improve sleep quality, not directly enhance concentration.

Choice C reason: Exhibiting fewer emotional outbursts is not a direct effect of zolpidem. The medication is designed to treat insomnia and does not have a significant impact on emotional regulation. Emotional outbursts may be related to other underlying conditions that zolpidem does not address.

Choice D reason: The primary desired outcome of zolpidem administration is to help the patient sleep soundly through the night. Zolpidem is effective in reducing sleep latency and increasing the duration of sleep, which is particularly beneficial for older adults who may have difficulty maintaining sleep. Achieving a full night’s rest is the main indicator that zolpidem is working as intended.

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A client with a history of anaphylactic reaction to penicillin receives a prescription for cephalexin 500 mg PO twice daily. Which action should the nurse take?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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