A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who reports motion sickness about using an herbal supplement. The nurse should identify that the client can use which of the following herbal supplements to help control nausea?

A. “I cannot smoke while taking this medication."

This statement is not directly related to the proper use of clarithromycin (Biaxin). While smoking cessation is generally encouraged for overall health, it is not specifically required while taking clarithromycin. However, smoking may affect the effectiveness of antibiotics in general due to its impact on the respiratory system and immune function.

B. “I can quit taking this medication when I feel better."

This statement is incorrect. It is important to emphasize to the client that they should complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed by their healthcare provider, even if they start to feel better before finishing the medication. Stopping the medication prematurely can lead to incomplete treatment and potentially contribute to antibiotic resistance.

C. “I cannot drive while taking this medication.”

This statement is not accurate. Clarithromycin (Biaxin) is not typically associated with sedation or impairment of driving ability. While some medications may cause drowsiness or other side effects that affect driving, this is not a common side effect of clarithromycin.

D. “I need to take this medication until it is gone."

This statement indicates an understanding of the importance of completing the full course of antibiotics as prescribed by the healthcare provider. Taking the medication until it is finished helps ensure that all bacteria are effectively treated and reduces the risk of antibiotic resistance.

A. Decision to administer either a bactericidal or bacteriostatic drug:

Culture and sensitivity tests provide information about the susceptibility of the microorganism to specific antimicrobial agents. Based on this information, healthcare providers can choose between bactericidal (agents that kill bacteria) or bacteriostatic (agents that inhibit bacterial growth) drugs. For example, if the culture indicates that the microorganism is susceptible to a bactericidal drug, such as penicillin, the healthcare provider may choose to administer that type of drug.

B. Microbial susceptibility to an anti-infective:

This option accurately describes one of the primary purposes of culture and sensitivity tests. These tests determine whether the microorganism causing the infection is susceptible or resistant to specific antimicrobial agents. This information guides the selection of the most appropriate anti-infective therapy to effectively treat the infection.

C. Duration of the antibacterial drug therapy:

While culture and sensitivity tests provide valuable information about microbial susceptibility to antimicrobial agents, they do not specifically determine the duration of antibacterial drug therapy. The duration of therapy is often determined based on factors such as the type and severity of the infection, the patient's response to treatment, and clinical guidelines, rather than solely on the results of culture and sensitivity tests.

D. Decision to administer empiric therapy:

Empiric therapy involves the initiation of antimicrobial treatment based on clinical judgment and knowledge of likely pathogens before culture and sensitivity results are available. Culture and sensitivity tests help confirm the causative microorganism and guide subsequent treatment decisions, including adjustments to therapy based on the results. Therefore, while culture and sensitivity tests inform decisions regarding antimicrobial therapy, they do not directly determine whether empiric therapy should be initiated.