A nurse is preparing to administer phenylephrine as a vasopressor to treat a patient for hypotension. The desired therapeutic effect of phenylephrine in this context is:

Choice A reason: "Antibiotics are administered to treat viral infections." is an incorrect statement for the nurse to make when providing teaching for a client who has a new prescription for an antibiotic. Antibiotics are medicines that fight bacterial infections in people and animals. They work by killing the bacteria or by making it hard for the bacteria to grow and multiply. Antibiotics do not work against viruses, such as those that cause colds, flu, or COVID19. Taking antibiotics when they are not needed can cause harm and increase the risk of antibiotic resistance¹.

Choice B reason: "Bloody stools are expected while taking antibiotics." is an incorrect statement for the nurse to make when providing teaching for a client who has a new prescription for an antibiotic. Bloody stools are not a normal or expected side effect of antibiotics. They can indicate a serious condition, such as intestinal bleeding, ulcerative colitis, or Clostridioides difficile infection. C. diff is a type of bacteria that can cause severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloody stools. It can occur when antibiotics disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in the gut and allow C. diff to grow and produce toxins. The nurse should instruct the client to report any signs of bloody stools or severe diarrhea to the health care provider immediately.

Choice C reason: "Take the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed." is a correct statement for the nurse to make when providing teaching for a client who has a new prescription for an antibiotic. Taking the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed is important to ensure that the infection is completely treated and to prevent the bacteria from becoming resistant to the antibiotic. Stopping the antibiotic too soon or skipping doses can allow some bacteria to survive and multiply, which can cause the infection to come back or spread to other parts of the body. The nurse should also remind the client to follow the instructions on the medication label or the prescriber's order regarding the dosage, frequency, and duration of the antibiotic therapy.

Choice D reason: "Discontinue the medication when you feel better." is an incorrect statement for the nurse to make when providing teaching for a client who has a new prescription for an antibiotic. Discontinuing the medication when the client feels better is not advisable, as it can lead to incomplete treatment and antibiotic resistance. Feeling better does not mean that the infection is gone or that the bacteria are all killed. The client should continue to take the antibiotic until the end of the prescribed course, even if they have no symptoms or feel better. The nurse should also advise the client to contact the health care provider if they have any questions or concerns about the antibiotic or if they experience any side effects or allergic reactions.

Choice A reason: Limit caffeine intake is not an instruction that the nurse should provide to the client who has asthma and a new prescription for inhaled fluticasone. Fluticasone is a medication that reduces inflammation and swelling in the airways, which can improve breathing and prevent asthma attacks. Fluticasone does not interact with caffeine or affect the heart rate or blood pressure. Caffeine is a stimulant that can cause nervousness, insomnia, or palpitations in some people, but it does not worsen asthma symptoms or interfere with fluticasone therapy. The nurse should advise the client to consume caffeine in moderation and avoid it before bedtime.

Choice B reason: Take the medication with meals is not an instruction that the nurse should provide to the client who has asthma and a new prescription for inhaled fluticasone. Fluticasone is a medication that reduces inflammation and swelling in the airways, which can improve breathing and prevent asthma attacks. Fluticasone is administered by inhalation, not by mouth, and it does not affect the digestion or absorption of food. The nurse should instruct the client to use the inhaler as prescribed, usually twice a day, regardless of the mealtimes.

Choice C reason: Rinse the mouth after administration is an instruction that the nurse should provide to the client who has asthma and a new prescription for inhaled fluticasone. Fluticasone is a medication that reduces inflammation and swelling in the airways, which can improve breathing and prevent asthma attacks. Fluticasone is a corticosteroid, which can cause side effects such as oral thrush, hoarseness, or sore throat if it remains in the mouth after inhalation. The nurse should instruct the client to rinse the mouth with water and spit it out after each dose of fluticasone to prevent these side effects. The nurse should also teach the client how to use the inhaler properly and check the inhaler technique regularly.

Choice D reason: Check the pulse after medication administration is not an instruction that the nurse should provide to the client who has asthma and a new prescription for inhaled fluticasone. Fluticasone is a medication that reduces inflammation and swelling in the airways, which can improve breathing and prevent asthma attacks. Fluticasone does not affect the heart rate or blood pressure, and it is not a rescue medication that should be used for acute asthma symptoms. The nurse should monitor the respiratory rate and the oxygen saturation of the client after administering fluticasone and advise the client to use a short acting bronchodilator, such as albuterol, for quick relief of wheezing or shortness of breath.