A patient at a sports camp is complaining of itchy and watery eyes, coughing, and sneezing when outdoors. The patient's chart states that he has an allergy to grasses. Which medication will the nurse administer?

A. Bacteria:Antibiotics are specifically used to treat bacterial infections. In the case of pharyngitis, antibiotics are appropriate if the infection is caused by Streptococcus pyogenes(Group A strep), which can be confirmed via rapid strep test or throat culture.

B. A fungal infection:Fungal infections are treated with antifungal medications, not antibiotics. Pharyngitis caused by fungi (e.g., Candida) is rare and requires different pharmacologic management.

C. A virus:Viral pharyngitis is the most common cause of sore throat and does not respond to antibiotics. Treating viral infections with antibiotics contributes to antimicrobial resistance and unnecessary side effects.

D. Protozoa:Protozoal infections typically affect the gastrointestinal or urogenital tract and are not a cause of pharyngitis. They are treated with antiparasitic agents, not antibiotics.

A. Obtain the patient's vital signs:While monitoring vital signs is important, especially for detecting hypovolemia or underlying causes like hypertension, it is not the immediate priority. The nurse must first attempt to control the bleeding to prevent aspiration and continued blood loss.

B. Apply a cold compress to the patient's facial area:Cold compresses can help constrict blood vessels and reduce bleeding, but they are supportive measures. They should be done afterprimary pressure techniques have been initiated, not as the first-line intervention.

C. Firmly pack the nostril with saline soaked gauze:Nasal packing is typically a secondary measure used when direct pressure fails to stop the bleeding. It is more invasive and usually performed by trained personnel if conservative measures are ineffective.

D. Instruct the client to sit forward and pinch the nose below the nasal bone:Sitting forward prevents blood from flowing into the throat and airway, while pinching the soft part of the nose applies direct pressure to the bleeding vessels, which often successfully stops epistaxis.