A patient has a sore throat with fever. The primary care NP ...

[joe]

A patient has a sore throat with fever. The primary care NP observes erythematous 4+ tonsils with white exudate. A rapid antigen strep test is negative, and a culture is pending. The NP orders amoxicillin as empiric treatment.
 
  The patient calls the next day to report a rash. The NP should suspect: a. penicillin drug allergy.
  b. a viral cause for the patient's symptoms.
  c. a serum sickness reaction to the penicillin.
  d. scarlatiniform rash from the streptococcal infection.

Question 2

A patient is diagnosed with a condition that causes chronic pain. The primary care NP prescribes an opioid analgesic and should instruct the patient to:
 
  a. wait until the pain is at a moderate level before taking the medication.
  b. take the medication at regular intervals and not just when pain is present.
  c. start the medication at higher doses initially and taper down gradually.
  d. take the minimum amount needed even when pain is severe to avoid dependency.

[tdewitt]

Answer to Question 1

B
Certain viral infections, such as mononucleosis, increase the frequency of rash in response to penicillin and is commonly attributed to penicillin allergy.

Answer to Question 2

B
Chronic pain requires routine administration of drugs, and patients should take analgesics routinely without waiting for increased pain.

[joe]

Excellent

[peter]

Great answer, keep it coming