A nurse is caring for a client who was exposed to anthrax.
Which of the following antibiotics should the nurse plan to administer?

Choice A rationale:

The client stating, “I haven’t had anything to eat or drink since last night” is not a cause for concern. This is because patients are often advised to fast before undergoing certain medical procedures or tests, including an intravenous pyelogram (IVP).

Fasting helps to ensure that the test results are accurate and not influenced by recent food or drink consumption.

Choice B rationale:

The client expressing that “The last time I voided it was painful” could be related to their recurrent kidney stones. Kidney stones can cause discomfort or pain during urination. However, this statement does not necessarily require additional data collection in the context of an IVP. The pain could be a symptom of the kidney stones rather than a contraindication for the IVP1.

Choice C rationale:

The statement “I took my metformin before breakfast” is of concern. Metformin is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is important for the nurse to collect additional data about this statement because metformin can potentially interact with the iodine-based contrast dye used in an IVP. This interaction can increase the risk of lactic acidosis, a serious and potentially lifethreatening condition. Therefore, patients are often advised to stop taking metformin before and for a couple of days after having an IVP12. Choice D rationale:

The client mentioning, “I took a laxative yesterday” is not necessarily alarming. Laxatives are often used before an IVP to clear the bowels, which helps to ensure clear images during the procedure. Therefore, this statement does not require additional data collection in the context of an IVP1.

Choice A rationale:

Amphotericin B is a potent antifungal medication used to treat severe fungal infections. However, it is typically reserved for life-threatening systemic fungal infections due to its potential for serious side effects, including kidney damage and infusion reactions. It is not commonly used as a first-line treatment for vaginal yeast infections.

Choice B rationale:

While antifungal creams can be effective for treating vaginal yeast infections, they typically require a treatment course of several days. This option may not be the best choice for a patient seeking a quicker, one-time treatment.

Choice C rationale:

A single dose of a fluconazole oral tablet is often an effective treatment for vaginal yeast infections. Fluconazole works by inhibiting the growth of the yeast causing the infection. It is convenient for patients because it only requires one dose, unlike creams or suppositories that need to be applied for several days.

Choice D rationale:

There are indeed alternatives to antifungal suppositories for treating vaginal yeast infections. As mentioned above, a single dose of fluconazole is one such alternative. Therefore, stating that there is no better alternative to the suppositories is not accurate.