A patient has been on antibiotic therapy for 2 weeks and reports watery diarrhea and abdominal cramps. What intervention should the nurse suggest to the healthcare provider?
“A blood culture should be drawn.”.
“A stool sample should be collected to test for Clostridium difficile.”.
“The antibiotic should be discontinued immediately.”.
“An antidiarrheal should be prescribed to alleviate discomfort.”.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A rationale
While a blood culture could be useful in diagnosing a systemic infection, it would not be the most appropriate intervention for a patient reporting watery diarrhea and abdominal cramps after 2 weeks of antibiotic therapy.
Choice B rationale
A stool sample should be collected to test for Clostridium difficile. This bacterium can overgrow in the gut during antibiotic therapy, leading to symptoms such as watery diarrhea and abdominal cramps.
Choice C rationale
Discontinuing the antibiotic immediately may not be the best course of action without confirming the cause of the symptoms.
Choice D rationale
Prescribing an antidiarrheal could alleviate discomfort, but it would not address the underlying cause of the symptoms.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Tuberculous meningitis is a serious condition, but it is not a contraindication for the use of prednisone.
Choice B rationale
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is not a contraindication for prednisone. In fact, prednisone is often used to treat exacerbations of COPD56.
Choice C rationale
Cerebral edema is not a contraindication for prednisone. Prednisone is sometimes used to reduce inflammation and swelling in the brain.
Choice D rationale
Peptic ulcer disease is a contraindication for the use of prednisone. Prednisone can increase the risk of peptic ulcers by increasing stomach acid secretion and decreasing the production of protective mucus in the stomach.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Infusing the medication slowly over a period of 60-90 minutes is a common practice for many intravenous medications to prevent adverse reactions. However, this is not the first step a nurse should take before administering intravenous acyclovir.
Choice B rationale
While diluting certain medications in a liter of normal saline can be a part of the preparation process, it is not the first step a nurse should take before administering intravenous acyclovir.
Choice C rationale
Checking the intravenous site for any signs of redness, heat, or swelling is the correct first step before administering any intravenous medication. This is to ensure that the IV site is not infected or inflamed, which could lead to complications such as phlebitis or infiltration.
Choice D rationale
Examining the patient for any open herpetic lesions is important when administering acyclovir, as the medication is used to treat herpes infections. However, this is not the first step a nurse should take before administering the medication.
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