A nurse is caring for a child who has a penicillin allergy.
Which of the following prescriptions should the nurse verify with the provider?

Choice A rationale:

The statement “The intravenous medication will have delayed absorption into the body’s tissues” is incorrect. Intravenous (IV) therapy is administering fluids directly into a vein. It benefits treatment by enabling water, medication, blood, or nutrients to access the body faster through the circulatory system. This bypasses the gastric system so the body can take on more fluids quickly. Therefore, the absorption of intravenous medication into the body’s tissues is not delayed but rather immediate.

Choice B rationale:

The statement “The action of the medication will begin sooner when given intravenously” is correct. Administering a medication intravenously eliminates the process of drug absorption and breakdown by directly depositing it into the blood. This results in the immediate elevation of serum levels and high concentration in vital organs, such as the heart, brain, and kidneys. Therefore, the action of the medication begins sooner when given intravenously.

Choice C rationale:

The statement “The medication will cause fewer adverse effects when given intravenously” is not necessarily true. While some medications might cause fewer adverse effects when given intravenously, this is not a general rule for all medications. The adverse effects of a medication depend on various factors including the type of medication, the dose, the patient’s health condition, and more.

Choice D rationale:

The statement “There is a lower chance of allergic reactions when drugs are given intravenously” is not necessarily true. The chance of allergic reactions depends on various factors including the type of drug, the patient’s immune response, previous exposure to the drug, and more. It’s not related to the route of administration.

Choice A rationale:

Aspirin is known as a salicylate and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by blocking a certain natural substance in your body to reduce pain and swelling. However, one of the key reasons aspirin is administered to a patient with a history of myocardial infarction (MI) is due to its antiplatelet aggregate properties. This effect reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack. If a patient has recently had surgery on clogged arteries (such as bypass surgery, carotid endarterectomy, coronary stent), doctors may direct them to use aspirin in low doses as a “blood thinner” to prevent blood clots.

Choice B rationale:

While aspirin does have analgesic properties, meaning it can relieve mild to moderate pain from conditions such as muscle aches, toothaches, common cold, and headaches, this is not the primary reason it would be administered to a patient with a history of MI. The main goal in this context is to prevent further cardiac events, which is achieved through aspirin’s antiplatelet effects.

Choice C rationale:

Aspirin does have anti-inflammatory properties and it may be used to reduce pain and swelling in conditions such as arthritis. However, in the context of a patient with a history of MI, the anti-inflammatory property is not the primary reason for administering aspirin. The key purpose is to leverage its antiplatelet effects to prevent further cardiac events.

Choice D rationale:

Aspirin can be used to reduce fever, which is what the term ‘antipyretic’ refers to. However, similar to the analgesic and antiinflammatory properties, the antipyretic property is not the primary reason for administering aspirin to a patient with a history of MI. The main goal is to prevent further cardiac events through its antiplatelet effects.