The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a female client following inpatient therapy for a gonorrhea infection. The client is being discharged on doxycycline (Vibramycin) for 7 days

Question

Which nursing instruction is essential for a therapeutic outcome? A) Obtain a pulse prior to administering medication.
B) Use an alternate form of birth control.
C) Complete all prescribed medication.
D) Take medication on an empty stomach.

Answer 1

C
Feedback:
The prescribed discharge medication is an antibiotic; thus, the therapeutic outcome would be to have no further infection. The nurse is most correct to instruct to complete all doses or the infection could return. Vibramycin does not have a cardiac side effect; thus, the client does not need to obtain a pulse prior to administration. It is correct to instruct the client to use an alternate form of birth control and take on an empty stomach (if tolerated); however, that instruction does not determine the therapeutic outcome.