A client with a history of anaphylactic reaction to penicillin receives a prescription for cephalexin 500 mg PO twice daily. Which action should the nurse take?

Contact the healthcare provider.

Give with prescribed antihistamine.

Administer the medication as prescribed.

Monitor the client for a rash or hives.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A Reason:

Contact the healthcare provider: Given the client’s history of anaphylactic reaction to penicillin, there is a potential risk of cross-reactivity with cephalexin, a cephalosporin. Although the risk of cross-reactivity is relatively low, it is still significant enough to warrant caution. Studies indicate that 1-4% of people with a true penicillin allergy may also react to cephalosporins. Therefore, the nurse should contact the healthcare provider to discuss alternative antibiotics or additional precautions.

Choice B Reason:

Give with prescribed antihistamine: While antihistamines can help manage mild allergic reactions, they are not sufficient to prevent or treat anaphylaxis. Anaphylactic reactions require immediate medical intervention, including epinephrine administration. Therefore, relying solely on antihistamines is not an appropriate or safe action in this scenario.

Choice C Reason:

Administer the medication as prescribed: Administering cephalexin without consulting the healthcare provider could put the client at risk of a severe allergic reaction. Given the client’s history of anaphylaxis to penicillin, it is crucial to verify the safety of cephalexin with the healthcare provider before administration.

Choice D Reason:

Monitor the client for a rash or hives: While monitoring for allergic reactions is essential, it should not be the primary action in this case. The priority is to prevent a potential severe allergic reaction by consulting the healthcare provider before administering the medication. Monitoring alone does not address the underlying risk of cross-reactivity.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason:

Placing the new patch on the client’s shoulder and leaving both patches in place for 12 hours is not recommended. Fentanyl patches are designed to be used one at a time, and overlapping patches can lead to an overdose due to excessive absorption of the medication1. The standard practice is to remove the old patch before applying a new one.

Choice B reason:

Removing the patch and consulting with the healthcare provider about the client’s pain resolution is a cautious approach. However, it is not necessary to consult the healthcare provider if the client denies pain and the patch is due for replacement. The nurse should follow the standard protocol for patch replacement.

Choice C reason:

Applying the new patch in a different location after removing the original patch is the correct action. This ensures that the medication is delivered effectively while preventing skin irritation and potential overdose. The new patch should be placed on a different area of intact skin to allow the previous site to recover.

Choice D reason:

Administering an oral analgesic and evaluating its effectiveness before applying the new patch is not appropriate in this scenario. The client is already receiving pain management through the transdermal patch, and additional oral analgesics are not necessary unless there is breakthrough pain. The focus should be on proper patch replacement

A. Monitor skin for excessive bruising. B. Replace salt with a salt substitute. C. Cover your skin before going outside. D. Limit the intake of foods high in potassium.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A Reason:

Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic often prescribed for heart failure. While monitoring for side effects is important, excessive bruising is not a common side effect of spironolactone. Bruising might be more relevant for patients on anticoagulants or those with clotting disorders.

Choice B Reason:

Replacing salt with a salt substitute is not advisable for patients on spironolactone. Many salt substitutes contain potassium chloride, which can lead to hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) when combined with spironolactone. Hyperkalemia can cause serious cardiac issues, including arrhythmias.

Choice C Reason:

Covering the skin before going outside is not specifically related to the use of spironolactone. This advice might be more relevant for medications that cause photosensitivity, such as certain antibiotics or diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide, but not spironolactone.

Choice D Reason:

Limiting the intake of foods high in potassium is crucial for patients taking spironolactone. Spironolactone can increase potassium levels in the blood, and consuming high-potassium foods (like bananas, oranges, and potatoes) can exacerbate this effect, leading to hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia can be dangerous and cause symptoms such as muscle weakness, fatigue, and cardiac arrhythmias.

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A client with a history of anaphylactic reaction to penicillin receives a prescription for cephalexin 500 mg PO twice daily. Which action should the nurse take?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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