Nokea
A nurse is conducting an in-service training program for a group of nurses about antibacterial drugs such as penicillins and cephalosporins. During the question-and-answer period, the audience asks for examples of conditions that can be treated by cephalosporins. Which of the following would the nurse include in the response?
- A. Hemolysis
- B. Urinary tract infections
- C. Nausea and diarrhea
- D. Jaundice
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cephalosporins are used to treat respiratory infections, otitis media, urinary tract infections, and bone and joint infections, and prophylactically to treat infections that may result from a sexual assault. Cephalosporins are not used to treat hemolysis or jaundice. Nausea and diarrhea are some of the adverse reactions that can occur when a patient is on cephalosporin therapy.
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While the nurse is obtaining a drug history from a patient, the patient tells the nurse that he is allergic to penicillins and has also experienced a rash when he took a cephalosporin. The nurse interprets this information as indicating which of the following?
- A. Hypersensitivity
- B. Cross-sensitivity
- C. Anaphylactoid reaction
- D. Anaphylaxis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Once an individual is allergic to one penicillin, he or she is usually allergic to all of the penicillins. Those allergic to penicillin also have a higher incidence of allergy to the cephalosporins. Allergy to drugs in the same or related groups is called cross-sensitivity. Hypersensitivity is an allergic reaction to one substance. Anaphylactoid reaction is an unusual or exaggerated allergic reaction. Anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock is a severe form of hypersensitivity that occurs immediately and can be fatal.
The nurse is obtaining a medication history of a 48-year-old patient with an ear infection who is to receive penicillin therapy. The patient reports taking a beta-adrenergic blocker for his hypertension. The nurse would identify that this patient is at increased risk for which of the following if penicillin is administered?
- A. Anaphylactic shock
- B. Higher blood pressure
- C. Excess bleeding
- D. Heart attack
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Combining penicillins with beta-adrenergic blocking drugs increases the risk of anaphylactic shock. Beta-adrenergic blocking drugs are used to control blood pressure and heart problems, but combining them with penicillins does not increase the risk of high blood pressure or heart attack. Risk of bleeding is maximized if penicillins are combined with anticoagulants.
A patient who has been on penicillin therapy for several days has developed inflamed oral mucous membranes and swelling in the tongue and the gums. The primary health care provider has diagnosed it as a fungal superinfection of the oral cavity resulting in impaired oral mucous membranes. Which of the following interventions should the nurse perform?
- A. Inspect mouth and gums regularly.
- B. Instruct patient to avoid brushing teeth.
- C. Offer patient a liquid diet.
- D. Instruct the patient to gargle every 2 hours.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse should regularly inspect the patient's mouth and gums to assess the patient's progress. The nurse should instruct the patient to use a soft-bristled toothbrush. The patient need not follow a liquid diet; a nonirritating soft diet can be recommended. Gargling every 2 hours may not help relieve the symptoms and may even aggravate the existing condition.
A nurse is preparing to administer a prescribed cephalosporin by injection. Which of the following would be most important for the nurse to keep in mind? Select all that apply.
- A. Thrombophlebitis can occur when cephalosporins are given IV.
- B. Phlebitis can occur when cephalosporins are given IM.
- C. Pain can occur when cephalosporins are given IM.
- D. Tenderness can occur when cephalosporins are given IM.
- E. Swelling can occur when cephalosporins are given IM.
Correct Answer: A,C,D,E
Rationale: Administration route reactions include pain, tenderness, and inflammation at the injection site when cephalosporins are given IM, and phlebitis and thrombophlebitis along the vein may occur when cephalosporins are given IV.
A 75-year-old patient with a history of renal impairment is admitted to the primary health care center with a UTI and has been prescribed a cephalosporin. Which of the following interventions is most important for the nurse to perform when caring for this patient?
- A. Monitoring fluid intake
- B. Monitoring blood creatinine levels
- C. Testing for occult blood
- D. Testing for increased glucose levels
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An elderly patient is more susceptible to the nephrotoxic effects of the cephalosporins. Since renal impairment is present, it is important for the nurse to closely monitor the patient's blood creatinine levels. The nurse should conduct a test for occult blood if blood and mucus occur in the stool and monitor the fluid intake if there is a decrease in urine output. The nurse does not need to monitor for increased glucose levels unless the patient has a history of diabetes.