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Difficulty: EasyPharmacological Therapies

An older adult resident recently diagnosed with a urinary tract infection has a new prescription for oral amoxicillin. The client's medical record prominently lists a severe anaphylactic allergy to penicillin. The pharmacy has just delivered the amoxicillin to the unit. What is the most appropriate action for the practical nurse to take?

  1. A
    Administer the first dose and monitor the client closely for respiratory distress.
  2. Withhold the medication and notify the prescribing provider immediately.Answer
  3. C
    Scan the medication barcode to see if the electronic system overrides the allergy warning.
  4. D
    Request that the registered nurse give the medication due to the high risk involved.

Answer

The practical nurse must withhold the amoxicillin and notify the prescribing provider immediately.
Amoxicillin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that belongs to the penicillin family. Because the client has a documented severe anaphylactic allergy to penicillin, giving amoxicillin poses an immediate, life-threatening risk. The practical nurse's primary responsibility is client safety, which requires withholding the contraindicated medication and collaborating with the provider to secure a safe alternative.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Review the newly prescribed medication and the client's medical history.
The nurse identifies that the client is prescribed amoxicillin and has a severe allergy to penicillin.
Checking the client's chart for allergies is a critical first step in safe medication administration.
2
Correlate the prescribed medication class with the client's allergy.
The nurse recognizes that amoxicillin is a penicillin-class antibiotic.
Understanding drug classifications prevents the administration of cross-reactive allergens.
3
Determine the safest clinical action based on the findings.
The nurse decides the medication cannot be safely given.
Administering the drug could trigger life-threatening anaphylaxis.
4
Execute the appropriate nursing intervention.
The nurse withholds the dose and contacts the provider to obtain an alternative antibiotic.
The provider must be notified to ensure the client receives safe, timely, and appropriate treatment for their infection.

Key Concept

Medication Safety and Allergy Verification
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Topics

Pharmacological Therapies

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