Mr. Carter has been recently started on an antibiotic, and has developed a rash and pruritis. You suspect an allergic reaction and immediately assess him for other more serious symptoms. What question would be most important to ask Mr. Carter?

"Are you having any difficulty breathing?"

"Have you noticed any blood in your stool?"

"Are you having difficulty with your hearing?"

"Do you have a headache?”

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A. "Are you having any difficulty breathing?":

Difficulty breathing is a critical symptom that may indicate a severe allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening. It is essential to assess for difficulty breathing immediately as it requires urgent intervention to ensure the patient's airway is clear and to administer appropriate treatment.

B. "Have you noticed any blood in your stool?":

While blood in the stool could indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, it is not typically associated with allergic reactions to antibiotics. This symptom is more commonly associated with other conditions such as gastrointestinal ulcers, infections, or inflammatory bowel disease. While important to assess, it is not as immediately concerning as difficulty breathing in the context of a suspected allergic reaction.

C. "Are you having difficulty with your hearing?":

Difficulty with hearing is not a common symptom of allergic reactions to antibiotics. It may be associated with other conditions such as ear infections or ototoxicity from certain medications. While it is important to assess any changes in hearing, it is not typically an immediate concern in the context of a suspected allergic reaction.

D. "Do you have a headache?":

Headaches are a common symptom that can occur for various reasons, including stress, tension, dehydration, or as a side effect of medications. While headaches can sometimes occur as a side effect of certain drugs, they are not typically associated with severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis. Therefore, while it is important to assess for headaches, it is not as immediately concerning as difficulty breathing in the context of a suspected allergic reaction.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Sulfonamides:

Sulfonamides are a class of antibiotics that are structurally distinct from cephalosporins like cefazolin. Allergic reactions to sulfonamides do not necessarily indicate a risk of allergy to cefazolin. However, it's still important to assess for any previous allergic reactions to medications, including sulfonamides, as individuals can have multiple medication allergies.

B. Macrolides:

Macrolides are another class of antibiotics that are structurally different from cephalosporins. Allergic reactions to macrolides do not directly indicate an allergy to cefazolin. However, as with sulfonamides, it's crucial to assess for any history of allergic reactions to medications, including macrolides.

C. Yeast:

Yeast is not a class of antibiotics but rather a type of fungus. Allergic reactions to yeast are unrelated to cephalosporin antibiotics like cefazolin. Therefore, a history of allergic reactions to yeast does not suggest an allergy to cefazolin.

D. Penicillin:

This is the correct choice. Penicillins and cephalosporins share a similar beta-lactam ring structure. Individuals who have had allergic reactions to penicillin may have an increased risk of cross-reactivity with cephalosporins, including cefazolin. Therefore, it's crucial to assess for any previous allergic reactions to penicillin before administering cefazolin to avoid potential allergic reactions or adverse effects.

A. abdominal surgery requires starting antibiotic therapy 4 days before surgery B. a reduction of intestinal bacteria lessens the possibility of postoperative infection C. the bacteria found in the bowel cannot be destroyed after surgery D. Anesthesia makes the bowel resistant to an antibiotic after surgery

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Abdominal surgery requires starting antibiotic therapy 4 days before surgery:

This statement is not accurate. While antibiotic prophylaxis is commonly administered before certain types of surgery to prevent surgical site infections, the timing and duration of antibiotic therapy vary depending on factors such as the type of surgery, the patient’s medical history, and institutional guidelines. However, starting antibiotic therapy four days before surgery would not be standard practice for most abdominal surgeries.

B. A reduction of intestinal bacteria lessens the possibility of postoperative infection:

This statement is correct. Neomycin, as well as other antibiotics used in bowel preparation regimens, help reduce the population of intestinal bacteria. By decreasing the bacterial load in the bowel before surgery, the risk of contaminating the surgical site with harmful bacteria during the procedure is reduced, thus lowering the likelihood of postoperative infections.

C. The bacteria found in the bowel cannot be destroyed after surgery:

This statement is incorrect. While it is true that the bowel contains a complex ecosystem of bacteria that play important roles in digestion and other physiological functions, the population of intestinal bacteria can be temporarily reduced through the use of antibiotics, such as neomycin, as part of a bowel preparation regimen before surgery.

D. Anesthesia makes the bowel resistant to an antibiotic after surgery:

This statement is not accurate. Anesthesia does not render the bowel resistant to antibiotics after surgery. However, the administration of antibiotics during surgery and postoperatively may be indicated in certain cases to prevent or treat infections, particularly if the surgical procedure involves contamination of the abdominal cavity or if the patient is at increased risk of infection.

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Mr. Carter has been recently started on an antibiotic, and has developed a rash and pruritis. You suspect an allergic reaction and immediately assess him for other more serious symptoms. What question would be most important to ask Mr. Carter?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Before administering cefazolin (Ancef), the nurse checks for a previous allergic reaction to:

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse is asked why neomycin is given as a bowel prep before GI surgery. The nurse correctly replies that:

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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