A patient has been prescribed a 2-week course of antifungal suppositories for a vaginal yeast infection.
She asks the nurse if there is an alternative to this medication, stating, “I don’t want to do this for 2 weeks!” What could be a possible alternative in this situation?

Choice A rationale:

Shortness of breath is a common symptom of a hypersensitivity reaction. This occurs because the body’s immune system responds to a foreign substance, known as an antigen, by producing specific antibodies. This immune response can cause inflammation and swelling in various parts of the body, including the airways, leading to shortness of breath.

Choice B rationale:

A black hairy tongue is not typically associated with a hypersensitivity reaction. It is a condition that causes the tongue to appear black and hairy, and it’s usually caused by an overgrowth of bacteria or yeast on the tongue. It’s not related to allergies or hypersensitivity reactions.

Choice C rationale:

Itching is another common symptom of a hypersensitivity reaction. When the body encounters an antigen, it triggers an immune response that releases chemicals like histamine. Histamine can cause itching, among other symptoms.

Choice D rationale:

Swelling of the tongue can be a symptom of a severe hypersensitivity reaction known as anaphylaxis. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. The swelling is caused by inflammation in response to an antigen.

Choice E rationale:

Wheezing is a symptom of a hypersensitivity reaction, specifically type I hypersensitivity. This type of reaction includes allergic disorders, which affect the lungs among other parts of the body. The immune response to an antigen can cause the airways to narrow and produce a wheezing sound.

Choice A rationale:

While it’s important for the client’s family to be aware of the disease and take precautions, they do not necessarily need to take medications to prevent infection. Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious disease, but it typically requires close and prolonged contact to spread. Family members should be tested for TB, and if they test positive, then treatment would be necessary.

Choice B rationale:

This is the correct answer. A typical course of treatment for TB involves 6 to 9 months of consistent medication use. This is because TB bacteria die very slowly, and medications need to be taken for several months to ensure that all the bacteria are killed. If treatment is stopped too soon, some bacteria may survive and become resistant to the drugs.

Choice C rationale:

It’s not accurate to say that medications will need to be taken for the rest of the client’s life. While TB treatment is lengthy, it does not continue indefinitely. Once the full course of treatment is completed and the disease is cured, further medication is not typically necessary.

Choice D rationale:

The Mantoux test, also known as the tuberculin skin test, is used to determine whether a person has TB infection. However, the test can remain positive for a long time, even after successful treatment. Therefore, medications should not be taken until the Mantoux test is negative. Instead, the duration of treatment is determined by the healthcare provider based on various factors, including the patient’s response to the medication.