During antibiotic therapy, the nurse will monitor closely for signs and symptoms of a hypersensitivity reaction. Which of these assessment findings may be an indication of a hypersensitivity reaction? (Select all that apply.)

Choice A rationale:

Constipation is not typically associated with hyperthyroidism. In fact, one of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism is increased bowel movement. This is due to the increased metabolic rate caused by the overproduction of hormones from the thyroid gland.

Choice B rationale:

Weight gain is not a common symptom of hyperthyroidism. On the contrary, weight loss is one of the symptoms of this condition. This is because hyperthyroidism speeds up the body’s metabolism, causing increased calorie burning and significant weight loss. Choice C rationale:

Sensitivity to cold is not a symptom of hyperthyroidism. Instead, individuals with hyperthyroidism often have an increased sensitivity to heat. This is due to the increased metabolic rate which can cause excessive sweating and hot flashes.

Choice D rationale:

Frequent mood changes are a common symptom of hyperthyroidism. The overproduction of hormones by the thyroid gland can lead to symptoms such as irritability and restlessness. Additionally, other symptoms such as difficulty sleeping can also contribute to mood changes.

Choice A rationale:

Reporting a near-miss using the facility’s recommended protocol and correcting the error on the MAR is the appropriate action. A “near-miss” in healthcare is a situation where an error could have happened, but didn’t, either by chance or timely intervention. It’s crucial to report these incidents as they provide valuable information for risk management and quality improvement. By analyzing near-misses, healthcare facilities can identify potential hazards and take preventive measures to ensure patient safety. Correcting the error on the MAR is also important to prevent the same mistake from happening in the future.

Choice B rationale:

Reporting the near-miss to the next shift before the next dose is due is not the best course of action. While it’s important to communicate any potential issues to the next shift, it’s more crucial to report the incident immediately using the facility’s recommended protocol. This allows for a timely investigation and corrective action. Waiting until the next shift could delay these processes and potentially put patient safety at risk.

Choice C rationale:

Correcting the MAR error but saying nothing because nothing happened is not an appropriate response. Even though the error did not result in any harm, it’s still important to report it. Near-misses are often indicators of underlying system issues that need to be addressed. By not reporting the incident, the opportunity to improve patient safety and prevent future errors is lost.

Choice D rationale:

Notifying the pharmacy about the error they almost caused is not the most appropriate action. While it’s important to communicate with the pharmacy if they were involved in the error, the first step should always be to report the near-miss using the facility’s recommended protocol. This ensures that the incident is properly documented and investigated, and that appropriate corrective actions are taken.