A hospitalized patient who is taking demeclocycline (Declomycin) ...

[strangeaffliction]

A hospitalized patient who is taking demeclocycline (Declomycin) reports increased urination, fatigue, and thirst. What will the nurse do?
 
  a. Contact the provider to report potential toxic side effects.
  b. Notify the provider to discuss changing the medication to doxycycline.
  c. Perform bedside glucometer testing to evaluate the serum glucose level.
  d. Provide extra fluids and reassure the patient that these are expected side effects.

Question 2

A child with an upper respiratory infection caused by B. pertussis is receiving erythromycin ethylsuccinate. After 2 days of treatment, the parent asks the nurse why the child's symptoms have not improved. Which response by the nurse is correct?
 
  a. Erythromycin eliminates the bacteria that causes the infection, but not the toxin that causes the symptoms.
  b. We may need to add penicillin or another antibiotic to increase the antimicrobial spectrum.
  c. We will need to review the culture sensitivity information to see whether a different antibiotic is indicated.
  d. Your child may have developed a suprainfection that we need to culture and treat.

[lkanara2]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Demeclocycline stimulates urine flow and sometimes is used to treat patients with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). The patient should be reassured that increased urination, fatigue, and thirst are known side effects of demeclocycline. It is not correct to notify the provider of toxic side effects or to request another tetracycline. Glucometer testing is not necessary, because the increased urination is not related to an elevated blood glucose level.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Erythromycin is the drug of first choice for treating pertussis infections. Because symptoms are caused by a bacterial toxin and not by the bacteria itself, the drug eliminates the bacteria but does little to alter the course of the disease. It is given to lower infectivity. It is not necessary to add another antibiotic, review the sensitivity information, or look for a suprainfection.

[strangeaffliction]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[xiazhe]

Gracias!