The nurse is preparing to educate a patient who has just been prescribed a sulfonamide.
Which statements should be included in the teaching plan?

Choice A rationale:

Administering the antibiotic dose before obtaining the cultures could potentially affect the results of the cultures. Antibiotics are designed to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria, so administering them before obtaining the cultures could lead to false negatives. This could lead to incorrect or delayed diagnosis and treatment.

Choice B rationale:

While obtaining the urine culture before administering the antibiotic dose is a good step, it should not be done before obtaining the blood culture. Blood cultures are usually obtained before urine cultures because they can help identify bacteria or fungi in the blood. This can be crucial in diagnosing conditions like sepsis. Furthermore, administering the antibiotic dose before obtaining the blood culture could affect the results of the culture.

Choice C rationale:

Obtaining the blood culture before administering the antibiotic dose is a good step, but the urine culture should also be obtained before the antibiotic dose is administered. Administering the antibiotic dose before obtaining all necessary cultures could affect the results of the cultures and lead to incorrect or delayed diagnosis and treatment.

Choice D rationale:

This is the correct sequence of actions. The nurse should first obtain both blood and urine cultures before administering the antibiotic dose. This is because the antibiotic could potentially kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria, which could affect the results of the cultures. By obtaining the cultures first, the healthcare team can ensure they are getting accurate results that have not been influenced by the antibiotics. This can lead to a more accurate diagnosis and more effective treatment plan.

Choice A rationale:

Instructing the client to soak his feet daily is not recommended for individuals with diabetes. Soaking the feet can increase the risk of foot problems, particularly if the person has nerve damage or poor blood flow. It can lead to dry and cracked skin, which can increase the risk of infection. Therefore, this intervention should not be included in the care plan.

Choice B rationale:

Assisting the client in developing an individualized meal plan is a crucial intervention for managing type 2 diabetes. Meal planning is the first step in healthy eating and is especially important for people with diabetes because food directly impacts blood glucose levels. An individualized meal plan considers the person’s goals, tastes, lifestyle, and any medicines they’re taking. Therefore, this intervention should be included in the care plan.

Choice C rationale:

Checking the client’s blood glucose level before meals and at bedtime is an essential part of managing diabetes. Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels can help track the effect of diabetes medicines, understand how diet and exercise affect blood glucose levels, and detect if blood glucose levels are high or low. Therefore, this intervention should be included in the care plan.

Choice D rationale:

Administering an extra dose of insulin if the client’s blood glucose level drops to 50 mg/dl is not recommended. If a person’s blood glucose level is already low, administering additional insulin can lead to an insulin overdose, which can be lifethreatening. Therefore, this intervention should not be included in the care plan.