A nurse is caring for a client who has been taking echinacea as an alternative therapy for treatment. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse the treatment has been effective?

Choice A reason : Palliative care does not end immediately upon the patient's death; it also supports the family through the bereavement process. This choice does not reflect an understanding of the full scope of palliative care services.

Choice B reason : While palliative care includes end-of-life care, it is not exclusively reserved for this period. It can be initiated at any stage of a serious illness, with the goal of improving quality of life and providing symptom relief.

Choice C reason : Palliative care does not aim to postpone death. Instead, it focuses on providing relief from the symptoms, pain, and stress of a serious illness, regardless of the diagnosis or stage of the disease.

Choice D reason : This statement accurately reflects the primary goal of palliative care, which is to improve the quality of life for both the patient and the family, by addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Choice A reason: The anthrax vaccine is ineffective following direct anthrax exposure is not a correct piece of information to include in the protocol. The anthrax vaccine can provide some protection against anthrax if given before exposure, but it cannot prevent or treat anthrax infection after exposure¹.

Choice B reason: Manifestations of anthrax infection appear within 3 days of exposure is not a correct piece of information to include in the protocol. The incubation period of anthrax varies depending on the route of exposure, but it can range from one day to several weeks. Inhalation anthrax usually has an incubation period of one to six days, but it can be longer².

Choice C reason: Prophylactic treatment should be provided to clients for 10 days following exposure to anthrax is not a correct piece of information to include in the protocol. Prophylactic treatment, or post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), is the use of antibiotics to prevent anthrax infection in people who have been exposed to anthrax spores but do not have symptoms. PEP should be given for at least 60 days, or until the person receives three doses of the anthrax vaccine³.

Choice D reason: Ciprofloxacin should be administered to asymptomatic clients who were directly exposed to anthrax is a correct piece of information to include in the protocol. Ciprofloxacin is one of the antibiotics recommended by the CDC for PEP of anthrax. It can prevent anthrax infection in people who have inhaled anthrax spores but do not have symptoms. Ciprofloxacin should be given as soon as possible after exposure and continued for 60 days, or until the person receives three doses of the anthrax vaccine..