A client is receiving metronidazole for Clostridium difficile pseudomembranous colitis. Which information should the nurse include in this client's medication teaching plan?
Keep medication refrigerated.
Drink a liter of water daily.
Take one hour after eating.
Avoid the use of alcohol.
The Correct Answer is D
A) Keep medication refrigerated:
Metronidazole tablets do not typically require refrigeration. Storing the medication at room temperature is usually sufficient. Refrigeration may not be necessary and could potentially lead to confusion or unnecessary inconvenience for the client.
B) Drink a liter of water daily:
While maintaining hydration is generally important for overall health, there's no specific requirement to drink a liter of water daily solely because of metronidazole therapy. However, encouraging adequate fluid intake is beneficial to prevent dehydration, especially if diarrhea is present due to Clostridium difficile infection.
C) Take one hour after eating:
Metronidazole can be taken with or without food. It's generally well tolerated with food to reduce gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea. However, taking it with food or on an empty stomach does not significantly affect its effectiveness.
D) Avoid the use of alcohol:
This is the correct answer. Consuming alcohol while taking metronidazole can lead to a disulfiram-like reaction, characterized by symptoms such as flushing, headache, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. This reaction occurs because metronidazole inhibits the breakdown of acetaldehyde, leading to its accumulation in the body when alcohol is consumed. Therefore, it's crucial to advise clients to abstain from alcohol during metronidazole therapy and for at least 48 hours after completing the course of treatment.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Stop the oral contraceptive immediately:
This instruction is incorrect and potentially dangerous. Abruptly stopping oral contraceptives can lead to unintended pregnancy and disrupt the client's menstrual cycle. It's essential for the client to continue taking their oral contraceptive unless instructed otherwise by their healthcare provider.
B) Use an additional form of contraception:
This is the correct action. Erythromycin is an antibiotic that can reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives by altering the gut flora and potentially interfering with their absorption. Therefore, it is recommended to use an additional form of contraception, such as condoms, while taking erythromycin to prevent unintended pregnancy.
C) Take the medications at least 12 hours apart:
While it's generally a good practice to space medications apart to avoid interactions, specific instructions regarding the timing of erythromycin and oral contraceptive administration should be obtained from the healthcare provider. Simply spacing the medications apart may not be sufficient to prevent contraceptive failure.
D) Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight:
This instruction is unrelated to the interaction between erythromycin and oral contraceptives. Erythromycin can increase sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity), but this does not affect the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. Therefore, while it's important to advise clients to protect themselves from sun exposure while taking erythromycin, it's not directly related to contraceptive use.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Platelets:
Platelet levels are not directly affected by antidiuretic hormone (ADH) administration or diabetes insipidus. Platelet monitoring is important in assessing clotting function but is not specifically related to the management of diabetes insipidus or ADH therapy.
B) Osmolality:
This is the correct answer. Osmolality refers to the concentration of solutes in the blood and is a critical parameter to monitor in clients receiving ADH therapy for diabetes insipidus. ADH regulates water reabsorption in the kidneys, thereby affecting blood osmolality. Monitoring serum osmolality helps assess the effectiveness of ADH therapy in maintaining fluid balance and preventing excessive urine output.
C) Glucose:
While glucose monitoring is important in clients with diabetes mellitus, it is not directly related to diabetes insipidus or ADH therapy. Diabetes insipidus is characterized by excessive thirst and urination due to inadequate ADH production or response, which does not involve glucose metabolism.
D) Calcium:
Calcium levels are not typically affected by ADH therapy or diabetes insipidus. Monitoring calcium levels is important in conditions such as hyperparathyroidism or hypoparathyroidism but is not directly relevant to the management of diabetes insipidus.
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