A patient is experiencing nausea and decreased appetite during drug therapy with a tetracycline antibiotic.
What is the nurse’s best advice to the patient?

Choice A rationale:

This statement is incorrect. Sulfonamides should be taken for the full time of treatment, even if the patient begins to feel better after a few days. If the medication is stopped too soon, the symptoms may return.

Choice B rationale:

This statement is correct. Sulfonamides can cause increased photosensitivity, which means the skin can be more sensitive to the sun and burn more easily. Therefore, patients should be educated to use sunscreen and protective clothing with sun exposure.

Choice C rationale:

This statement is correct. Sulfonamides are best taken with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Several additional glasses of water should be taken every day, unless otherwise directed by the doctor. Drinking extra water will help to prevent some unwanted effects of sulfonamides.

Choice D rationale:

This statement is incorrect. Restricting daily fluid intake to 1000ml per day while on sulfonamides could increase the risk of crystalluria that can cause kidney stones or decreased kidney function. Therefore, patients should increase their water intake while taking these medications.

Choice A rationale:

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a chronic medical condition that occurs when the pancreas, an organ in the abdomen, produces very little or no insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body to use glucose for energy. Glucose is a sugar that comes, in large part, from foods we eat. Insulin allows glucose to enter cells in the body. Therefore, if a client with type 1 diabetes refuses breakfast and requests to sleep, it could lead to hypoglycemia, a condition characterized by abnormally low blood glucose levels. Hypoglycemia can cause symptoms such as weakness, sweating, confusion, and in severe cases, unconsciousness or seizures. It is a medical emergency and should be reported immediately.

Choice B rationale:

Trimming a toenail may seem like a simple task, but for a person with diabetes, it can lead to serious complications. Diabetes can cause nerve damage that leads to numbness in the feet, making it difficult for a person to feel a cut, blister, or sore. These injuries can become infected and lead to serious complications, such as the need for amputation. However, this situation is not as immediately life-threatening as hypoglycemia and does not need to be reported immediately.

Choice C rationale:

Dark yellow urine can be a sign of dehydration, which can be a concern for individuals with diabetes. However, it can also be a result of less serious causes such as certain medications, foods, or simply not drinking enough fluids. While it’s important for the AP to encourage the client to drink more fluids, this situation is not as immediately life-threatening as hypoglycemia.

Choice D rationale:

Dizziness when standing, also known as orthostatic hypotension, can be a side effect of some medications used to treat diabetes. It can also be a symptom of dehydration or other conditions. While it’s important for the AP to monitor the client’s symptoms and report any changes, this situation is not as immediately life-threatening as hypoglycemia