A patient has been ordered azithromycin [Zithromax] and asks the nurse why the medication does not have to be taken as often as other antibiotics that have previously been ordered. What is the nurse's best response?

"This drug has a longer duration of action than some of the other antibiotics."

"This is a much more effective drug than what you received previously."

"I'll call the pharmacy and ask about the chemical makeup of the drug."

"You'll need to ask your healthcare provider questions like that."

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A. "This drug has a longer duration of action than some of the other antibiotics."
Explanation: Azithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic, has a longer half-life in the body compared to some other antibiotics. Half-life refers to the time it takes for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body. A longer half-life means the drug remains effective for a longer duration, allowing for less frequent dosing.

B. "This is a much more effective drug than what you received previously."
Explanation: While azithromycin is effective against a wide range of bacterial infections, it's not accurate to say it's universally more effective than other antibiotics. The choice of antibiotic depends on the specific type of infection and the susceptibility of the bacteria causing it. Effectiveness varies based on the context of use.

C. "I'll call the pharmacy and ask about the chemical makeup of the drug."
Explanation: While understanding the chemical makeup of drugs is important for healthcare professionals, it might not directly answer the patient's question about the dosing frequency. Explaining the drug's pharmacological properties, such as its duration of action, would provide a more relevant and understandable response to the patient's query.

D. "You'll need to ask your healthcare provider questions like that."
Explanation: This response does not provide the patient with the information they seek. Nurses are valuable resources for medication-related questions and should strive to provide accurate and understandable explanations to patients.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. "The antibiotic I have been taking doesn't work as well as it used to."
This statement shows awareness of decreased effectiveness, which can occur due to drug resistance. Bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics, leading to reduced efficacy of the medication over time.

B. "The bacteria in my body have become resilient."
This statement correctly attributes resistance to the bacteria. Resilience in this context means that bacteria have developed mechanisms to survive the effects of antibiotics, making the treatment less effective.

C. "Over time, an organism that had once been highly sensitive to an antibiotic may become less susceptible, or it may lose drug sensitivity entirely."
This statement accurately describes the concept of drug resistance. Bacteria can lose sensitivity to antibiotics, rendering the drugs ineffective against them.

D. "My body has become resistant to the antibiotic."
This statement is incorrect. It's the bacteria that develop resistance, not the patient's body. Patients don't become resistant to antibiotics; instead, bacteria evolve and adapt, making the drugs less effective against them.

A. Bactericidal and bacteriostatic are used interchangeably. B. Bactericidal drugs are directly lethal to bacteria, and bacteriostatic drugs work to slow bacterial growth but do not cause cell death. C. Bacteriostatic drugs are directly lethal to bacteria, and bactericidal drugs work to slow bacterial growth but do not cause cell death. D. A bactericidal drug can cause death to the host, whereas a bacteriostatic drug only affects bacteria.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. "Bactericidal and bacteriostatic are used interchangeably."
Explanation: This statement is incorrect. Bactericidal and bacteriostatic are two distinct categories of antibiotics with different mechanisms of action.

B. "Bactericidal drugs are directly lethal to bacteria, and bacteriostatic drugs work to slow bacterial growth but do not cause cell death."
Explanation: This statement is correct. Bactericidal drugs kill bacteria directly, leading to their death, while bacteriostatic drugs inhibit bacterial growth without causing immediate cell death.

C. "Bacteriostatic drugs are directly lethal to bacteria, and bactericidal drugs work to slow bacterial growth but do not cause cell death."
Explanation: This statement is incorrect. It is the opposite of the correct explanation. Bacteriostatic drugs do not directly kill bacteria, and bactericidal drugs do cause bacterial death.

D. "A bactericidal drug can cause death to the host, whereas a bacteriostatic drug only affects bacteria."
Explanation: This statement is not entirely accurate. While some bactericidal drugs can be more toxic to the host, it depends on the specific drug and its dosage. Bacteriostatic drugs, on the other hand, generally do not directly harm the host. The primary distinction between the two categories is their impact on bacterial growth and survival.

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A patient has been ordered azithromycin [Zithromax] and asks the nurse why the medication does not have to be taken as often as other antibiotics that have previously been ordered. What is the nurse's best response?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Which statement by a patient makes the nurse aware of a need for further education about drug resistance in antimicrobial therapy?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

What is the difference between bactericidal drugs and bacteriostatic drugs?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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A patient has been ordered azithromycin [Zithromax] and asks the nurse why the medication does not have to be taken as often as other antibiotics that have previously been ordered. What is the nurse's best response?