Nokea
A client is prescribed sulfadiazine one tablet twice daily for 10 days. When reviewing the client's history, the nurse notes that the client is also taking warfarin. The nurse would be alert for which of the following?
- A. Prolonged clotting times
- B. Increased risk of infection
- C. Decreased antibiotic effect
- D. Decreased white blood cell count
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When warfarin and sulfonamides are given concomitantly, an increase in action of the anticoagulant is seen, leading to an increase in clotting time, such as PT/INR, and an increased risk of bleeding. An increased risk of infection and a decrease in the white blood cell count would occur when a sulfonamide is given with methotrexate. The combination of warfarin and sulfonamide does not impact the effect of the antibiotic.
You may also like to solve these questions
A nurse is caring for a client who is being administered sulfasalazine. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include to ensure that the client gets the full benefits of the treatment?
- A. Take dosage while eating or immediately after eating.
- B. Increase food intake for the duration of sulfonamide therapy.
- C. Take the drug with a full glass of milk instead of water.
- D. Drink at least two to three 8-ounce glasses of fluid every day
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should administer sulfasalazine with food or immediately afterward. Increasing the food intake during sulfonamide therapy is not necessary, as long as a proper diet is maintained and the physician's recommendations are followed. Two to three 8-ounce glasses of fluid is not enough; the client should drink at least eight to ten 8-ounce glasses of fluid every day. All drugs should be taken with water and not milk, juice, or any other liquid, unless specifically instructed by the physician.
A 60-year-old client who is on sulfonamide therapy has impaired urinary elimination. She does not want to increase her oral fluid intake because of fear of incontinence. Which of the following nursing interventions would be most appropriate?
- A. Inform the client that there is no need to increase fluid intake.
- B. Inform the client that increasing fluid intake will not result in incontinence.
- C. Teach the client the times to take fluids to maintain continence.
- D. Increase fluid intake by 1000 mL instead of 2000 mL to avoid incontinence
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse's responsibility is to help the client overcome the fear of incontinence and to teach her when to take fluids to maintain continence. Instead of telling the client that increasing fluid intake has no effect on continence, the nurse should focus on helping the client with her problems of incontinence. The nurse should instruct the client to increase the fluid intake by at least 2000 mL, instead of only 1000 mL; however, this will not help control incontinence.
A client who is on sulfonamide therapy is about to be discharged. Which of the following precautions should the nurse instruct the client to follow to reduce the effects of photosensitivity?
- A. Wear protective clothing and sunscreen when outside.
- B. Increase fluid intake.
- C. Avoid lights while indoors.
- D. Wear protective footwear
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should encourage a client to wear protective clothing while going out in the sun to reduce the effect of photosensitivity. While increasing the fluid intake is recommended, it does not help combat the effects of photosensitivity. There is no need to avoid lights while indoors; the skin becomes sensitive only to harsh sunlight during sulfonamide therapy. Wearing protective footwear may protect the feet from injury, but it will not protect the skin from the harmful effects of photosensitivity.
A client develops a cough and fever and laboratory test results reveal leukopenia after the client receives sulfonamide therapy. When developing the client's plan of care, the nurse would identify which nursing diagnosis?
- A. Impaired Urinary Elimination
- B. Impaired Skin Integrity
- C. Risk for Secondary Infection
- D. Deficient Knowledge
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Fever and leukopenia suggest an infection, which can occur secondarily with sulfonamide therapy. Therefore, Risk for Infection would be the most appropriate nursing diagnosis. Impaired Urinary Elimination would be appropriate if the client was experiencing changes in urinary output. Impaired Skin Integrity would be appropriate if the client developed a rash or hypersensitivity reaction. Deficient Knowledge would be appropriate if the client lacked understanding of the drug therapy, which is not evident in this situation.
A nurse is preparing a plan of care for an older adult client who is receiving sulfonamide therapy. Which of the following would the nurse include in the plan of care to reduce the likelihood of causing renal damage? Select all that apply.
- A. Administer sulfonamides once daily.
- B. Increase fluid intake up to 2000 mL if tolerated.
- C. Use sulfonamides cautiously in clients with renal impairment.
- D. Administer the dose intravenously instead of orally.
- E. Ask the prescriber to change the medication ordered
Correct Answer: B,C
Rationale: Older adults experience a decline in renal function with aging. Therefore, sulfonamides must be used cautiously in older clients. In addition, increasing fluid intake up to 2000 mL daily can decrease the likelihood of causing renal damage in older clients. The drug is administered throughout the day, not as a once-daily dose. Sulfonamides can affect renal function regardless of the route administered. Asking the prescriber to change the medication ordered may be appropriate but is not necessary as long as the drug is administered cautiously and the client is monitored closely.