HESI RN CAT Exit Exam Related

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A male client with diabetes mellitus takes Novolin 70/30 insulin before meals and azithromycin (Zithromax) PO daily, using medication he brought from home. When the nurse delivers his breakfast tray, the client tells the nurse that he took his insulin but forgot to take his daily dose of the Zithromax an hour before breakfast as instructed. What action should the nurse implement?

  • A. Offer to obtain a new breakfast tray in an hour so the client can take the Zithromax
  • B. Instruct the client to eat his breakfast and take the Zithromax two hours after eating
  • C. Tell the client to skip that day's dose and resume taking the Zithromax the next day
  • D. Provide a PRN dose of an antacid to take with the Zithromax right after breakfast
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Instruct the client to eat his breakfast and take the Zithromax two hours after eating. This is the correct action because azithromycin is best absorbed when taken on an empty stomach, but if the client has already eaten, it is recommended to wait at least 2 hours after a meal before taking it. This ensures optimal absorption and effectiveness of the medication.

Choice A is incorrect because it does not address the timing issue of taking azithromycin on an empty stomach. Choice C is incorrect as skipping a dose of an antibiotic can lead to treatment failure. Choice D is incorrect as antacids can interfere with the absorption of azithromycin and should not be taken together.