A nurse admits a patient who has a diagnosis of acute asthma.
Which statement indicates that the patient may need teaching regarding medication use?

Choice A rationale

While increased protein intake is beneficial for tissue repair and overall healing, it is not the immediate priority in acute osteomyelitis. The primary concern is eradicating the bacterial infection, which causes systemic inflammation and bone destruction. Nutritional support is supportive therapy, not the initial life-saving intervention.

Choice B rationale

Acute osteomyelitis is a severe bone infection, often bacterial. Administering antibiotics directly targets the causative microorganisms, preventing further bone destruction, systemic sepsis, and potentially life-threatening complications. Prompt antimicrobial therapy is crucial for controlling the infection and preserving bone integrity, making it the highest priority intervention.

Choice C rationale

Pain management is important in osteomyelitis, but teaching relaxation breathing, while helpful for comfort, does not address the underlying pathology. The infection itself poses a greater immediate threat than the pain. Effective pain relief often follows successful treatment of the infection and reduction of inflammation.

Choice D rationale

Antipyretic therapy addresses fever, a symptom of infection, but does not treat the infection itself. While important for comfort and reducing metabolic demands, it is a supportive measure. The priority is to eliminate the bacterial pathogen causing the fever and bone destruction through targeted antibiotic therapy.

Choice A rationale

Tremor is not a common adverse effect of atenolol, a beta-blocker. Beta-blockers primarily work by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors, leading to decreased heart rate, blood pressure, and myocardial contractility. Tremors are often associated with other medications or neurological conditions, not typically beta-blockers.

Choice B rationale

Constipation is not a primary adverse effect of atenolol. While some cardiovascular medications can affect gastrointestinal motility, beta-blockers are not generally known to cause constipation. Gastrointestinal side effects for beta-blockers are more commonly nausea or diarrhea.

Choice C rationale

Cough is not a typical adverse effect of atenolol. While some antihypertensives, such as ACE inhibitors, are known to cause a dry cough, beta-blockers do not commonly induce this side effect. Coughing associated with beta-blockers is rare and usually indicates a different underlying issue.

Choice D rationale

Bradycardia, a slower than normal heart rate (typically below 60 beats per minute), is a common and expected adverse effect of atenolol. Atenolol is a beta-adrenergic blocker that decreases the heart's chronotropic (rate) and inotropic (contractility) effects by blocking beta-1 receptors in the myocardium, thus lowering heart rate and blood pressure.