The nurse would include which teaching or intervention in the care plan of a client experiencing diarrhea related to antibiotic therapy?
Include yogurt in the diet.
Administer famotidine 20 mg daily while taking the antibiotic.
Test stool for occult blood.
Arrange for IV administration of the antibiotic instead of the oral route.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice a reason:
Including yogurt in the diet can be beneficial for a client experiencing diarrhea related to antibiotic therapy. Yogurt contains probiotics, which are live microorganisms that can provide health benefits when consumed. These probiotics can help restore the balance of good bacteria in the gut that antibiotics may have disrupted, potentially reducing the duration and severity of diarrhea. However, it's important to choose yogurts that contain active probiotics and to be aware that some individuals may not tolerate dairy well during a bout of diarrhea.
Choice b reason:
Administering famotidine 20 mg daily may help with symptoms of gastritis or peptic ulcers but is not directly related to treating antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Famotidine is a histamine-2 blocker used to reduce stomach acid and is not typically used as a treatment for diarrhea. It should be noted that if a patient is experiencing severe diarrhea, the underlying cause should be addressed rather than just managing symptoms.
Choice c reason:
Testing stool for occult blood is generally not a standard intervention for antibiotic-related diarrhea unless there is a suspicion of gastrointestinal bleeding or an infection like C. difficile, which can cause more severe colitis. Occult blood tests are more commonly used for screening for colorectal cancer or diagnosing conditions that cause gastrointestinal bleeding.
Choice d reason:
Arranging for IV administration of the antibiotic instead of the oral route may be considered if the client has severe diarrhea that prevents the absorption of oral medications or if the client is unable to tolerate oral intake[^10^]¹¹¹²¹³¹⁴. However, many antibiotics have excellent oral bioavailability, and switching from IV to oral antibiotics when appropriate can be just as effective and is often preferred due to convenience and lower risk of complications.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
A blood pressure of 98/60, while on the lower side, is not necessarily alarming post-surgery unless the patient shows symptoms of hypotension or if there is a significant drop from the patient's baseline blood pressure. It is important to monitor trends in blood pressure readings rather than a single isolated measurement.
Choice B Reason:
A urine output of 40 mL/hour can be considered within normal limits post-surgery, as the expected urine output is at least 0.5 mL/kg/hr. However, it should be monitored closely to ensure that it does not decrease further, which could indicate renal complications.
Choice C Reason:
Pain rated as 5 on a 0-10 scale indicates moderate pain, which is expected post-surgery. Pain management should be continued as prescribed, and the patient should be reassessed regularly to ensure that the pain does not escalate.
Choice D Reason:
The absence of a popliteal pulse is a critical finding that must be reported immediately. The popliteal artery provides blood flow to the lower leg, and its absence could indicate graft occlusion or other serious circulatory issues, which could lead to limb-threatening complications if not addressed promptly.

Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason
A negative sputum culture is the most definitive indicator of the effectiveness of tuberculosis (TB) treatment. When a patient with active TB starts on medication, the goal is to eliminate the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria from the body. A sputum culture that turns from positive to negative signifies that the bacteria have been eradicated from the respiratory secretions, indicating successful treatment.
Choice B Reason
While decreased hemoptysis (coughing up blood) is a positive sign and indicates an improvement in the patient's condition, it is not the most reliable parameter for determining the effectiveness of TB therapy. Hemoptysis may decrease as the patient's overall condition improves, but it does not confirm the eradication of the TB bacteria.
Choice C Reason
An improved chest x-ray can show a reduction in the lesions caused by TB, which is a good sign of recovery. However, chest x-rays cannot confirm whether the TB bacteria have been completely eliminated. They are more of a supportive indicator rather than a definitive one.
Choice D Reason
A decreased rate of coughing is another sign that the patient is responding to treatment, as coughing is a primary symptom of TB. However, similar to hemoptysis and chest x-ray improvements, a decrease in coughing does not necessarily mean that the TB bacteria have been fully cleared from the body.
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