Chapter 9: Antibiotics

A client, being treated for latent tuberculosis (TB) on an out-client basis, tells the nurse, "I've been feeling pretty good lately, so I haven't actually been all that consistent with taking my drugs." Subsequent health education by the nurse should focus on what subject?

The need to consistently take the prescribed drugs in order to cure TB

When considering known adverse reactions to gentamicin therapy, the nurse should focus assessment of what body structure?

inner ears

When a person is diagnosed with tuberculosis, the nurse prepares the family members to be treated prophylactically with which drug?

isoniazid

A group of nursing students are reviewing information about fluoroquinolones. The students demonstrate a need for additional review when they identify which as an example?

metronidazole

What event triggers the development of a superinfection?

proliferation of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms

A client with a positive sputum culture for TB has been started on streptomycin antitubercular therapy. Upon review of the laboratory results, the nurse notes that the client may be experiencing toxicity if which of the following results is abnormal?

BUN and creatinine

The nurse is giving instructions to a client age 77 years who has been prescribed a sulfonamide for treatment of a urinary tract infection. The nurse has instructed the client to increase fluids while taking this medication. What does the nurse anticipate will be the client's greatest fear related to this instruction?

Fear of incontinence.

In which condition present in the client should macrolides be used with caution?

Liver dysfunction

The nurse is assisting in the admission of a client with a suspected urinary tract infection and an oral temperature of 100.9°F. The health care provider has written the following orders: acetaminophen 500 mg PO for elevated temperature; urinalysis for culture and sensitivity; sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) 500 mg PO four times daily; and force fluids to 3 L/day. Which order will the nurse complete first?

Obtain urine for culture and sensitivity.

A client undergoing penicillin therapy shows improvement and confirms feeling better. Which intervention is the nurse most likely to perform in such a situation?

Record assessments on client's chart

The nurse is teaching a client about his prescription for a macrolide antibiotic. What should the nurse teach the client to report?

Recurring symptoms of infection

The nurse is caring for a client who is receiving IV vancomycin. The nurse infuses the medication at the prescribed rate to prevent what from occurring?

Red man syndrome. With this syndrome, the client's face and upper trunk becomes bright red, and it has led to cardiovascular collapse.

The nurse is aware that sulfonamide therapy is used cautiously in older adults because of decreased function of what organ system?

Renal

After administering sulfonamides to a client, the nurse observes the client has developed a fever, cough, and muscular aches, as well as lesions in the form of red wheals on the neck and the mouth. The nurse interprets these findings as indicating which possible adverse reaction?

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)

The clinic nurse is responsible for teaching a client about a new prescription for doxycycline. The nurse should increase which instruction in the teaching?

"Limit your exposure to the sun."

A client is scheduled for abdominal surgery and is ordered to receive neomycin. The client asks the nurse why this drug is prescribed. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?

"The drug helps eliminate bacteria so that your GI tract is as clean as possible for surgery."

A client asks the nurse why fluid intake should be increased while taking sulfonamides. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?

"The fluids will help to decrease your risk for kidney stones."

Extreme caution would be necessary with the use of gentamicin in which client?

A client who has chronic renal failure secondary to diabetes mellitus

A client is ordered to receive neomycin as part of the treatment plan for hepatic coma. Which action would be most important for the nurse to assess before administering this drug? Select all that apply.

Ability to swallow Level of consciousness

A nurse is caring for a patient who has an acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis and who has been prescribed telithromycin (Ketek). Before therapy begins, the nurse will assess the patient for a history of which of the following?

Arrhythmias

A child has been diagnosed with acute otitis media. Before the child begins antibiotic treatment, what assessment should the nurse perform?

Assess the child for allergies to penicillins.

A 9-year-old client has been admitted to the pediatric unit after being diagnosed with pertussis. The pediatric nurse is processing the client's admission orders and notes that IV demeclocycline has been prescribed. After beginning this treatment, the nurse should confirm the results of what laboratory test?

Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)

A nurse suspects that a client receiving oral penicillin therapy is developing pseudomembranous colitis based on which assessment finding?

Bloody diarrhea

Beta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillins and cephalosporins, fight infection by inhibiting development of the causative bacteria. What specific component development do these drugs affect?

Cell wall synthesis

A client who routinely takes antacids has been prescribed tetracycline. The nurse explains to the client that there is an increased risk of which effect related to this combination?

Decreased absorption of tetracycline

A client is receiving ciprofloxacin for a urinary tract infection. This drug is administered IV. During the infusion, the nurse notes fluid leaking into the tissue around the IV site. What is the best response of the nurse?

Discontinue the IV.

A client, hospitalized with active tuberculosis, is receiving antitubercular drug therapy. When it becomes apparent that the client is not responding to the medications, what condition will the primary health care provider identify as a possible cause?

Drug-resistant tuberculosis

The health care professional has recommended sulfonamide therapy for a client who is currently taking oral anticoagulants. What are the possible effects of combining sulfonamide therapy with oral anticoagulants?

Increased action of the anticoagulant

Michael, 25 years old, has had mitral valve regurgitation since age four, after having rheumatic fever. Michael is planning to go to his dentist to have his teeth cleaned. Because of Michael's history he will need to take antibiotics in conjunction with this procedure to prevent bacteremia. Which class of antibiotics will Michael most likely receive if he has no allergies?

Penicillin

Ampicillin-sulbactam is administered to a client with Staphylococcus aureus. What type of anti-infective is ampicillin-sulbactam?

Penicillin-beta-lactamase inhibitor combination

A client in the critical care unit is receiving aminoglycosides for an infectious process. What does the nurse need to monitor?

Renal function tests

A patient with TB is admitted to a health care facility. The nurse is required to administer an antitubercular drug through the parenteral route to this patient. Which of the following precautions should the nurse take when administering frequent parenteral injections?

Rotate injection sites for frequent parenteral injections.

A client is receiving a cephalosporin and an aminoglycoside as combination therapy. What assessment should the nurse prioritize?

Serum BUN and creatinine levels

A young adult client's acne has responded well to treatment with tetracycline. However, the client has now returned to the clinic 6 weeks later with signs and symptoms of oral candidiasis. The nurse should recognize that this client's current health problem is likely attributable to which occurrence?

Superinfection following the eradication of normal oral flora

A client is prescribed ciprofloxacin for a urinary tract infection. The nurse is preparing to teach the client about the medication. What must the nurse include in the education plan?

Take precautions to prevent photosensitivity

The nurse understands that which is the highest priority when teaching about antitubercular medications?

Taking medications as prescribed

The nurse is caring for a 6-year-old child who has pyelonephritis. The use of what group of antibiotics would be contraindicated due to the client's age?

Tetracyclines

A client is being treated for urosepsis with ceftriaxone IV. What assessment finding should prompt the nurse to contact the care provider immediately?

The client has a new onset of jaundice and edema

A client with a complex medical history is showing signs and symptoms of sepsis. What aspect of this client's health history would rule out the safe and effective use of an aminoglycoside antibiotic?

The client has chronic renal failure

The nurse knows that pseudomembranous colitis is a superinfection of fluoroquinolones, especially when they are administered in high doses, because these medications have what effect in the body?

They disrupt the normal flora of the body.

A client asks why three medications are prescribed to treat his tuberculosis. The nurse informs the client of which reasons?

To prevent resistance

The nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed a sulfonamide but does not have an infection. The nurse is aware that the medication has been prescribed to treat what condition?

Ulcerative Colitis

A nurse is conducting an in-service 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 examples would the nurse include in the response?

Urinary tract infections

A nurse is caring for a 52-year-old client who has been diagnosed with a latent tuberculosis infection. The health care provider is considering ordering isoniazid (INH). The preexistence of what condition would require cautious use of INH in this client?

cirrhosis of the liver

A client is prescribed isoniazid (INH) for a diagnosis of tuberculosis. Which adverse effect will result in discontinuation of the medication?

jaundice

A 25-year-old woman is being treated with penicillin G as prophylaxis to prevent bacterial endocarditis prior to a dental procedure. The nurse should question the client concerning her the use of:

oral contraceptives.

A nurse monitors a client closely for anaphylactic reactions secondary to penicillin therapy. The nurse understands that this occurs more commonly after which route of administration?

parenteral

A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving vancomycin intravenously. While the drug is being administered, the client reports a throbbing sensation in their neck and back and paresthesias. The client's blood pressure has dropped and their neck and back are erythematous. The nurse suspects which adverse finding?

red man syndrome

A nurse is speaking to a 62-year-old female client who has been started on sulfisoxazole, a sulfonamide antibiotic. The nurse should teach this client to contact the health care provider if the client experiences what adverse effect associated with the drug?

skin rash or itching

A teenager is admitted to a health care facility for a fungal infection. It has been determined that the infection was present for a long time, but there was no treatment undertaken. The teenager now has a systemic fungal infection for which flucytosine is prescribed. Which would be most important for the nurse to assess before beginning therapy?

weight

The nurse administers cefuroxime to a client at least 1 hour before meals, as prescribed; however, the client experiences GI upset. Which action would be most appropriate for the nurse to do?

Administer the drug with food.

A client has been prescribed 2 tablets of 150 mg isoniazid every day. The available drug is in the form of a 100-mg tablet. To meet the recommended dose, the nurse will administer _______ tablets each time.

3

Levofloxacin 750 mg IV is ordered for a client with a urinary tract infection. The medication is to mixed yielding 250 mg/15 mL. How many mL should be drawn up in the syringe?

45

A client is diagnosed with an infection attributable to the gram-negative microorganism Pseudomonas. Which anti-infective agent is most reliable in treating this microorganism?

Aminoglycoside

A client diagnosed with infective endocarditis would be most effectively treated with which medication?

Ampicillin

The nurse is providing care to a client who is receiving an aminoglycoside and cephalosporin. Which assessment is a priority of care?

nephtoxicity