A female client has been provided with a 3-day course of therapy as prophylaxis against another urinary tract infection. Which statement indicates that the client understands when to use this medication?

Question

1. "I will take this medication on the first 3 days of the month."
2. "I will take this medication after my husband and I have sexual intercourse."
3. "When I first have symptoms, I will drink cranberry juice. If that is not effective, I will take the medication."
4. "If I develop symptoms of an infection, I will call the health care provider and make sure it is OK for me to go ahead and take the medication."

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: With self-initiated therapy, the medication is intended to be taken when symptoms occur, not on specific days of the month.
Rationale 2: Prophylactic therapy is intended to be used after each act of coitus, or when symptoms first develop.
Rationale 3: The medication is intended to be taken at the first sign of symptoms; the client should not delay treatment by trying something else.
Rationale 4: The health care provider has given the client the means to initiate therapy, so the client does not need to call and get permission to use the medication.
Global Rationale: With this type of treatment, the patient is provided with a single dose or 3-day course of therapy, which is initiated by the woman after each act of coitus, or when symptoms first develop. The medication is intended to be taken at the first sign of symptoms; the client should not delay treatment by trying something else.