The nurse is discharging the child with sickle cell disease who has undergone a splenectomy. The child has an allergy to penicillin. The nurse should anticipate teaching about which prophylactic medication?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A: Epoetin (Epogen) stimulates the bone marrow to produce RBCs. In sickle cell disease, increasing the production of sickled RBCs can worsen the condition. B: Amoxicillin (Amoxil) is contraindicated when allergies to penicillin are present. C: Opioids such as morphine sulfate are administered in sickle cell crises or for severe pain; it is usually not given prophylactically. D: The ability to fight infection is decreased following a splenectomy. Daily prophylactic antibiotics are given. Erythromycin ethylsuccinate (E.E.S.) is a macrolide antibiotic and safe to administer when a penicillin allergy exists.
Nokea