The nurse is reviewing her hospitalized client's medications and sees that he is on both a cephalosporin and an aminoglycoside. The nurse knows that this combination of antibiotics increases the client's risk for:

A. Reddened tongue and gums: This side effect is not typically associated with ampicillin. However, certain medications or medical conditions can cause changes in oral tissues, leading to redness in the tongue and gums.

B. Digit numbness and tingling: Ampicillin does not commonly cause numbness and tingling in the fingers and toes. These symptoms can be associated with neurological issues or circulatory problems.

C. Bruising and petechiae: These symptoms can indicate bleeding disorders or low platelet count and are not usually caused by ampicillin. It's essential to investigate further if a patient experiences unexplained bruising or petechiae.

D. Skin rash and loose stools: Skin rash is a known side effect of penicillin-type antibiotics, including ampicillin. Loose stools or diarrhea can also occur due to disruption of the gut flora caused by the antibiotic. Patients should be aware of these possibilities and report any severe or persistent symptoms to their healthcare provider.

A. "Cephalosporins are assigned to generations based on their relative costs to administer."
This statement is incorrect. The classification of cephalosporins into generations is based on their antimicrobial spectrum and activity against specific bacteria, not their cost.

B. "Later generations of cephalosporins have lower resistance to destruction by beta-lactamases."
This statement is not accurate. In fact, later generations of cephalosporins have increased resistance to destruction by beta-lactamases, which are enzymes produced by bacteria that can break down certain antibiotics.

C. "Cephalosporins have increased activity against gram-negative bacteria with each new generation."
This statement is correct. Cephalosporins are grouped into generations (first to fifth) based on their antibacterial spectrum. As the generations progress, there is an increase in activity against gram-negative bacteria, among other improvements in their spectrum.

D. "First-generation cephalosporins have better penetration of the cerebrospinal fluid."
This statement is generally true. First-generation cephalosporins have better penetration into the cerebrospinal fluid, making them useful for treating certain central nervous system infections.