The healthcare provider prescribes the antibiotic tetracycline HCI for an adult client that arrived at an outpatient clinic. Which instruction should the nurse include in the teaching plan for this client?

Choice A rationale; Family history of mental illness is important information to consider when assessing the client's overall mental health history, but it is not directly related to the immediate safety and effectiveness of duloxetine.

Choice B rationale: Weight change in the last month is relevant to monitoring for side effects of duloxetine, but it is not as critical as assessing liver function, which directly impacts the metabolism of the medication.

Choice C rationale: When planning care for a client starting on duloxetine, it is most important for the nurse to obtain liver function laboratory results. Duloxetine is primarily metabolized in the liver, and it is important to assess the client's liver function before starting the medication to ensure that the liver can process the drug effectively and safely. Clients with impaired liver function may require dose adjustments or be at higher risk for adverse effects, so obtaining liver function test results is crucial for safe medication management.

Choice D rationale: Recent use of other antidepressants is essential to avoid potential drug interactions, but it is not the most critical piece of information compared to assessing liver function, which directly affects the client's ability to process duloxetine.

Choice A rationale: Tetracycline should generally be taken on an empty stomach, as certain food and beverages, including orange juice, can interfere with its absorption. The nurse should instruct the client to take tetracycline with water and on an empty stomach unless otherwise specified by the healthcare provider.

Choice B rationale: Tetracycline is an antibiotic that can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, leading to an increased risk of sunburn and photosensitivity reactions. To prevent these adverse effects, the nurse should instruct the client to protect their skin from sunlight while taking the medication. This includes using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding prolonged sun exposure. It is essential to educate the client about this potential side effect to ensure their safety and minimize skin reactions during treatment.

Choice C rationale: Tetracycline does not require routine monitoring of serum drug levels. It is an antibiotic with a well-established dosing regimen, and monitoring drug levels is not necessary for its safe and effective use.

Choice D rationale: While taking tetracycline with milk or antacids may help reduce GI irritation, it can also interfere with the absorption of the medication. Therefore, it is generally recommended to take tetracycline with water and on an empty stomach to ensure optimal absorption and effectiveness.