The nurse caring for a patient who will receive penicillin to ...

[Arii_bell]

The nurse caring for a patient who will receive penicillin to treat an infection asks the patient about previous drug reactions. The patient reports having had a rash when taking amoxicillin (Amoxil). The nurse will contact the provider to
 
  a. discuss giving a smaller dose of penicillin.
  b. discuss using erythromycin (E-mycin) instead of penicillin.
  c. request an order for diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
  d. suggest that the patient receive cefuroxime (Ceftin).

Question 2

Which actions can contribute to bacterial resistance to antibiotics? (Select all that apply.)
 
  a. Frequent use of antibiotics
  b. Giving large doses of antibiotics
  c. Skipping doses
  d. Taking a full course of antibiotics
  e. Treating viral infections with antibiotics

[laurnthompson]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Erythromycin is the drug of choice when penicillin is not an option. Giving smaller doses of penicillin does not prevent hypersensitivity reactions. Benadryl is useful when a hypersensitivity reaction has occurred. A small percentage of patients allergic to penicillins may be hypersensitive to cephalosporins.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A, C, E
Frequent use of antibiotics increases the exposure of bacteria to an antibiotic and results in acquired resistance. Skipping doses of an antibiotic can lead to incomplete treatment of an infection, and the remaining bacteria may develop acquired resistance. Treating viral infections with antibiotics is unnecessary and may cause acquired resistance to develop from unneeded exposure to a drug. Infections adequately treated with an antibiotic do not result in resistance.