Author Question: The nurse admits a patient with septicemia (i.e., infection in the bloodstream). The patient denies ... (Read 37 times)

jjjetplane · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The nurse admits a patient with septicemia (i.e., infection in the bloodstream). The patient denies any allergies and the doctor has ordered cefuroxime based on blood culture results that report the active pathogen is susceptible to this drug.

The patient asks what antibiotic was ordered, and when the nurse says cefuroxime, the patient says, Call my doctor and tell him I want vancomycin because I've been reading about drug-resistant bacteria and I don't want to take any chances. What is the nurse's best response? A) Vancomycin is a powerful drug with many adverse effects and it is reserved for when no other drug will work against the infection.
B) There are some resistant infections that require vancomycin so you are right to prefer a stronger antibiotic.
C) I appreciate your concern but your doctor ordered the right medication for you so don't worry about it.
D) You can't believe anything you read on the Internet because most of it is just someone's opinion and not fact.

Question 2

The nurse provides drug teaching to the patient who will begin taking polycarbophil (FiberCon). What is the nurse's priority teaching point?

A) Do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours after taking the medication.
B) Drink lots of water when taking the drug.
C) Take at night before bedtime.
D) The drug can be taken up to six times per day.

kaillie · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

A
Feedback:
The patient is right in saying that vancomycin is effective against drug-resistant bacteria but needs help to understand that he or she does not have a resistant infection as indicated by the culture and sensitivity and that use of such a powerful drug when it is not needed increases risk of developing a vancomycin-resistant infection. It is never right to tell a patient not to worry because they have every right to participate in his or her own care and should not be patronized. Although some information on the Internet may not be accurate, it would be incorrect to say it is all just someone's opinion and not fact, especially given that the patient's information is accurate.

Answer to Question 2

B
Feedback:
Patients must take plenty of water with polycarbophil. If only a little water is consumed, the medication may absorb enough fluid in the esophagus to swell the food into a gelatin-like mass that can cause obstruction and other severe problems. The drug should be taken no more than four times a day and should not be taken at night.