& x20;A patient is prescribed an antibiotic. What should the nurse teach the patient regarding antibiotic res… - NORCET 1 - 2020

NORCET 1 - 2020

Pharmacology

Easy

Appeared in: NORCET 1 - 2020

Explanation

The primary teaching point to prevent antibiotic resistance is to complete the full prescribed course of the medication.
Feeling better indicates that the antibiotic is working, but it does not mean all the harmful bacteria have been eliminated.
Stopping treatment early allows the most resilient bacteria to survive, multiply, and potentially develop resistance to the antibiotic.
Completing the full course ensures that a sufficient concentration of the drug is maintained for long enough to kill all the targeted bacteria, including the more persistent ones.

Option A: This is a common and dangerous misconception. Stopping antibiotics as soon as symptoms disappear is a primary cause of antibiotic resistance, as it allows stronger bacteria to survive and multiply.
Option B: Antibiotics are designed to target bacteria, not viruses. Using them for viral infections like the common cold or flu is ineffective and contributes to the global problem of antibiotic resistance.
Option D: Sharing prescription medications is unsafe. The antibiotic may not be correct for the other person's condition, could cause an allergic reaction, and leads to an incomplete treatment course for the original patient, fostering resistance.

Visual 1: Infographic - A diagram showing two scenarios. In 'Scenario A: Incomplete Course,' some bacteria survive after the patient stops taking antibiotics early, leading to a relapse with resistant bacteria. In 'Scenario B: Complete Course,' all bacteria are eliminated, and the patient fully recovers.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Patient Education on Antibiotic Resistance to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
A nurse's role in patient education is critical in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a major public health threat.
Clear, consistent teaching about correct antibiotic use empowers patients to become active participants in their care and prevents the spread of drug-resistant organisms.
What if? The patient reports a severe rash and difficulty breathing after taking the first dose. The nurse's priority action is to instruct the patient to stop the medication immediately, seek emergency care, and notify the prescribing provider, as this indicates a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is patient teaching to prevent antibiotic resistance.
Evaluate each option against the established principles of antibiotic stewardship.
Recognize that stopping medication when feeling better is a common patient behavior that directly contributes to resistance. Therefore, the correct teaching must address this.
Eliminate options that are factually incorrect (antibiotics for viruses) or unsafe (sharing medications).
Select the option that represents the single most important instruction for preventing the emergence of resistant bacteria, which is completing the full prescribed course.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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