The client tells the nurse that the doctor told him his antibiotic did not kill his infection, but just slowed its growth. The client is anxious. What is the best response by the nurse to decrease the client's anxiety?

Question

1. "This is okay because your body will help kill the infection too."
2. "This is okay because your doctor is an infectious disease specialist."
3. "This is okay because your blood work is being monitored daily."
4. "This is okay because your infection is not really that serious."

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Some drugs do not kill the bacteria, but instead slow their growth and depend on the body's natural defenses to dispose of the microorganisms. These drugs which slow the growth of bacteria are called bacteriostatic.
Rationale 2: Telling the client that the doctor is a specialist does not answer the question and will increase anxiety.
Rationale 3: Telling the client that his blood work is being monitored does not answer the question and will increase anxiety.
Rationale 4: Telling a client with an infection that the infection is not serious will increase anxiety because to the client, all infections are serious.