Nursing Drug Classification System Related

Review Nursing Drug Classification System related questions and content

A patient has come to the clinic and been diagnosed with Lyme disease. The physician has ordered oral tetracycline. What is important for the nurse to include in the teaching plan about tetracycline? (Select all that apply.)

  • A. Do not take the drug with anything high in sodium content to keep from producing a state of hypernatremia in the body.
  • B. Do not take the drug with foods or other drugs that contain calcium.
  • C. Avoid eating bananas at the same time you take this drug as the potassium content of the tetracycline can produce hyperkalemia in the body.
  • D. Avoid exposure to the sun when taking this drug as it can turn your skin purple.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The antibiotic tetracycline is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract if calcium or calcium products (e.g., milk) are present in the stomach. It cannot be taken with iron products because a chemical reaction occurs preventing absorption. Although tetracycline can increase sun sensitivity, it does not turn the skin purple. Patients who take tetracycline do not need to avoid eating bananas or foods that are high in potassium.