Before administering a prescribed emetic, which of the following would the nurse need to assess?

Choice A rationale:

Monitoring for the appearance of adverse reactions is a crucial aspect of managing a patient with TB undergoing treatment. TB medications can have side effects, and early detection of adverse reactions is essential for timely intervention. Some common adverse effects of TB drugs include hepatotoxicity, peripheral neuropathy, and gastrointestinal disturbances. By closely monitoring the patient, the nurse can ensure prompt action if these side effects occur, improving the patient's overall care and safety.

Choice B rationale:

Monitoring the patient's vital signs every 24 hours may be part of standard nursing care, but when managing a patient with TB, the primary focus should be on monitoring for adverse reactions to the TB medications. Vital signs are important but not the most critical aspect of care in this specific situation.

Choice C rationale:

Assessing the patient's history of contacts is essential for identifying potential sources of TB transmission. However, it is more related to the initial assessment and diagnosis of TB rather than ongoing assessment during treatment. The primary focus during treatment is monitoring the patient's response to medication and any adverse reactions.

Choice D rationale:

Using Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) to administer TB drugs is a standard practice to ensure treatment adherence. However, ongoing assessment should focus on monitoring for adverse reactions and treatment effectiveness rather than the administration method, which is usually established at the beginning of treatment.

Choice A rationale:

Instructing the patient to increase dietary intake is not the most likely intervention when a patient shows improvement with penicillin therapy. Dietary advice would be more relevant if the patient was experiencing gastrointestinal side effects or had specific nutritional needs due to their condition or treatment.

Choice B rationale:

Informing the primary health provider immediately is not typically necessary when a patient shows improvement with penicillin therapy. It's crucial to continue monitoring the patient's progress, but this choice suggests an unnecessary action.

Choice C rationale:

This is the correct answer. When a patient undergoing penicillin therapy shows improvement, the nurse should record assessments and observations on the patient's chart. This helps track the patient's progress and ensures that the healthcare team has up-to-date information about the patient's condition.

Choice D rationale: