A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has obsessive-compulsive disorder and has a new prescription for paroxetine (Paxil). Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

Choice A reason: Bactericidal drugs, like penicillin, directly kill bacteria by disrupting cell walls or metabolism. This matches the question’s definition, ensuring effective infection control. It aligns with nursing pharmacology standards for classifying drugs that destroy bacteria, a critical distinction in treatment, universally recognized and distinctly applied in practice.

Choice B reason: Antineoplastic drugs target cancer cells, not bacteria, focusing on tumor growth inhibition. Destroying bacteria is bactericidal, not antineoplastic. This misidentifies the drug’s purpose, conflicting with nursing pharmacology principles. It’s irrelevant to bacterial destruction, a clear error in classification universally understood in healthcare.

Choice C reason: Analgesics relieve pain, lacking action against bacteria. Bactericidal drugs kill bacteria, not manage symptoms. This choice misaligns with the question’s focus on destruction, per nursing pharmacology standards. It fails to address infection, a distinct mismatch universally recognized in drug categorization.

Choice D reason: Bacteriostatic drugs inhibit bacterial growth, not destroy them outright. Bactericidal agents kill directly, per nursing terminology. This errors by suggesting stasis over destruction, contradicting the question’s intent. It’s a common distinction in pharmacology, universally applied for effective infection management.

Choice A reason: Major tranquilizers treat psychosis; Wellbutrin targets depression instead. This choice errors per nursing pharmacology. It’s universally distinct, unrelated to antidepressant classification.

Choice B reason: Anti-anxiety drugs calm; Wellbutrin lifts mood, not anxiety-focused. This misaligns with nursing standards. It’s universally distinct, missing Wellbutrin’s depression focus.

Choice C reason: Anti-manic drugs manage mania; Wellbutrin treats depression primarily. This choice errors per nursing pharmacology. It’s universally distinct, off-target for Wellbutrin’s use.

Choice D reason: Wellbutrin (bupropion), an antidepressant, relieves depression effectively. This aligns with nursing pharmacology standards. It’s universally recognized, distinctly applied in mental health care.