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:

Bounding peripheral pulses are not typically associated with diabetes insipidus. Diabetes insipidus is a condition characterized by excessive thirst and excretion of large amounts of severely dilute urine.

Choice B rationale:

Moist mucous membranes are not a common finding in diabetes insipidus. In fact, due to excessive urination, patients may experience dehydration which can lead to dry mucous membranes.

Choice C rationale:

Bradycardia, or a slower than normal heart rate, is not a typical symptom of diabetes insipidus. The condition does not directly affect the heart rate.

Choice D rationale:

Decreased urine specific gravity is a key finding in diabetes insipidus. The condition causes an imbalance of water in the body, leading to the production of large amounts of dilute (or low specific gravity) urine.

Please note that these rationales are based on general knowledge about diabetes insipidus and the specific symptoms mentioned in the choices. For a more detailed understanding, it’s recommended to refer to medical textbooks or consult with healthcare professionals.

Choice A rationale:

Acyclovir is an antiviral medication used to treat infections caused by certain types of viruses. It is primarily used for the treatment of herpes simplex virus infections, chickenpox, and shingles. However, it is not typically used as an anti-HIV drug.

Choice B rationale:

Ribavirin is an antiviral medication used to treat hepatitis C and certain other viral infections. While it has broad-spectrum antiviral activity, it is not specifically used to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Choice C rationale:

Foscarnet is an antiviral medication used to treat or prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in individuals with AIDS. It is also used to treat cold sores and genital herpes. However, it is not the first-line choice for preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Choice D rationale:

Zidovudine, also known as AZT, is an antiretroviral medication used to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS. It is generally safe for use during pregnancy and is commonly used to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV12. It works by inhibiting the reverse transcriptase enzyme, thereby blocking viral replication. The use of Zidovudine and other antiretroviral drugs in pregnant women with HIV has significantly reduced the rate of mother-to-child transmission of the virus.