A clinical trial is recommended for a female client with metastatic breast cancer, but she refuses to participate and tells her family that she does not wish to have further treatments.

The client's son and daughter ask the nurse to try and convince their mother to reconsider this decision.

How should the nurse respond?

Choice A rationale:

“I should take this medication with food to prevent stomach upset.” Rationale: This statement is not accurate for fluconazole. While some medications should be taken with food to reduce stomach upset, fluconazole is typically taken on an empty stomach. Taking it with food may reduce its absorption.

Choice B rationale:

“I should avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication.” Rationale: This is the correct response. Fluconazole can interact with alcohol and may lead to increased side effects or reduced effectiveness of the medication. Therefore, it is essential to avoid alcohol while taking fluconazole.

Choice C rationale:

“I should use a barrier method of contraception while taking this medication.” Rationale: While it is generally a good practice to use barrier contraception during treatment for a fungal infection to prevent potential spread to a partner, this statement does not specifically address fluconazole's requirements or interactions.

Choice D rationale:

“I should stop taking this medication if I develop a rash.” Rationale: This statement is not entirely accurate. While it is important to monitor for skin rashes as they can be a sign of an allergic reaction, the decision to stop taking fluconazole should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider. It is not an automatic response to developing a rash.

Choice A rationale:

Use a peak flow meter to assess the respiratory status. Assessing the client's respiratory status using a peak flow meter is the most appropriate next action after administering albuterol, a bronchodilator. It helps determine the client's lung function and response to the medication. This information guides further interventions and treatment decisions.

Choice B rationale:

Administer a stat dose of corticosteroids. Administering corticosteroids may be indicated in some cases of respiratory distress or exacerbation of asthma. However, it should not be the immediate next step after albuterol administration. Assessing the client's response to albuterol through lung function testing (peak flow) is essential before deciding on additional medications.

Choice C rationale:

Document the normal finding in the client's health record. Documenting normal findings is important for maintaining accurate medical records, but in this case, it is premature. The nurse should first assess the client's response to albuterol and ensure that the respiratory status is indeed normal before documenting the findings.

Choice D rationale:

Repeat a dose of the client's rescue drug. Administering another dose of the rescue drug (albuterol) without assessing the client's response and lung function would not be the most appropriate action. It is essential to determine whether the initial dose was effective before considering additional doses or alternative treatments.