A nurse is collecting data from a client who has had major depressive disorder for 5 years. Which of the following statements made by the client should the nurse identify as a covert statement regarding suicide?

Rationale:

A. "Discontinue the medication. I will ask your provider for another antibiotic.": Calf pain in a client taking ciprofloxacin may indicate tendinitis or even tendon rupture, a serious adverse effect associated with fluoroquinolones. The nurse should advise discontinuation of the drug and alert the provider immediately to prevent permanent damage.

B. "That reaction means your dose is too high. Cut the pill in half.": Reducing the dose without provider approval is unsafe and does not address the underlying risk of tendon injury. Ciprofloxacin-related tendinopathy is not dose-dependent and requires immediate discontinuation.

C. "Continue to take the medication. Calf pain is a minor reaction that will resolve itself.": Calf pain during ciprofloxacin therapy should never be dismissed as minor, since it may signal tendon inflammation or rupture.

D. “This is an allergic reaction. Take the medication with an antihistamine.": Tendon-related adverse effects are not allergic reactions and will not respond to antihistamines. Misclassifying the symptom as an allergy delays the proper intervention and increases the risk of irreversible tendon damage.

Rationale:

• Antibiotic: Administering an antibiotic addresses the underlying infection, which is likely causing the fever, low blood pressure, and altered mental status. Prompt antibiotic treatment reduces the risk of progression to septic shock. Early intervention improves patient outcomes in suspected sepsis.

• Antipyretic: An antipyretic helps reduce fever but does not treat the underlying infection. Lowering the temperature alone would not address the systemic inflammatory response seen in sepsis. This option does not prevent clinical deterioration.

• Anti-anxiety medication: An anti-anxiety medication may temporarily calm the patient but can worsen confusion and mask signs of deterioration. It does not treat the infection or improve hemodynamic status. This is inappropriate in suspected sepsis.

• Suspected surgical site infection and sepsis: The inflamed, draining surgical wound, fever, hypotension, and high WBC strongly indicate a developing infection. Mental status changes are also typical in sepsis. This makes infection the most urgent concern requiring antibiotic therapy.

• Elevated temperature and heart rate: While these signs are concerning, they are common with many conditions and not specific to sepsis. They are part of the clinical picture but not the driving reason for immediate antibiotic treatment.

• History of Parkinson’s disease and confusion: The confusion may partly relate to Parkinson’s or sensory impairment, but acute mental status changes with fever and hypotension suggest sepsis. Parkinson’s is chronic and not the immediate priority.