After administering an antineoplastic drug, the nurse bases the ongoing assessment on which of the following factors?

Choice A rationale:

Bacteriostatic. Sulfonamides are a class of antibiotics that work primarily as bacteriostatic agents. They inhibit the growth and reproduction of bacteria by blocking the synthesis of folic acid, which is essential for bacterial DNA and RNA synthesis. By slowing down bacterial growth, sulfonamides give the body's immune system a chance to eliminate the bacteria. Bacteriostatic antibiotics do not directly kill bacteria but rather impede their ability to multiply. This action is a key characteristic of sulfonamides.

Choice B rationale:

Bactericidal. Sulfonamides are not primarily bactericidal. Bactericidal antibiotics directly kill bacteria by disrupting their cell walls, protein synthesis, or other essential processes. Sulfonamides do not have this direct killing effect. They work by inhibiting folic acid synthesis and, as a result, slowing down bacterial growth. While this can eventually lead to bacterial death, the primary action of sulfonamides is bacteriostatic.

Choice C rationale:

Promotor of folic acid activity. This choice is not accurate. Sulfonamides do not promote folic acid activity; rather, they inhibit it. Sulfonamides are structural analogs of para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), a precursor necessary for folic acid synthesis in bacteria. By competing with PABA, sulfonamides disrupt folic acid production in bacteria, ultimately leading to growth inhibition. Therefore, they are not promoters of folic acid activity.

Choice D rationale:

Bacterial cell metabolizer. Sulfonamides do not metabolize bacterial cells. Instead, they interfere with bacterial metabolism by blocking the synthesis of folic acid. This disruption affects the DNA and RNA synthesis of bacteria, which rely on folic acid derivatives. The primary action of sulfonamides is to inhibit this metabolic pathway, not to metabolize bacterial cells.

Choice A rationale:

Isoniazid Isoniazid is one of the first-line drugs used in the initial treatment phase of tuberculosis (TB). It is a key component of the standard regimen for TB treatment. Isoniazid is highly effective against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium responsible for TB, and it plays a critical role in the initial phase of treatment to rapidly reduce the bacterial load.

Choice B rationale:

Ciprofloxacin Ciprofloxacin is not a first-line drug for the treatment of tuberculosis. While it has antibacterial properties, it is not considered one of the primary agents for TB treatment. It is more commonly used to treat other types of bacterial infections, such as urinary tract infections.

Choice C rationale:

Gentamycin Gentamycin is not typically used as a first-line treatment for TB. It is reserved for specific situations, such as drug-resistant TB cases, and is not part of the standard initial treatment regimen for TB.

Choice D rationale:

Clindamycin Clindamycin is not a first-line drug for the treatment of tuberculosis. It is primarily used to treat anaerobic bacterial infections and is not a standard part of TB treatment protocols.