A client asks why the health care provider ordered penicillin for the client's infection. How should the nurse respond?

Question

Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. "Your infection was caused by gram-positive bacteria."
2. "Penicillin is a narrow-spectrum antibiotic that can be used when the bacteria causing the infection is known."
3. "Penicillins are widely distributed to most body tissues."
4. "Penicillins are slowly excreted by the kidneys. This allows for less frequent dosing."
5. "If you're allergic to penicillin, we can give you a smaller dose to avoid a reaction."

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1,2,3
Rationale 1: Most penicillins are effective against gram-positive bacteria.
Rationale 2: Most penicillins have a narrow spectrum of antimicrobial activity.
Rationale 3: Penicillins are widely distributed to most body tissues, but only small amounts reach the CSF.
Rationale 4: Nearly all penicillins are rapidly excreted by the kidneys.
Rationale 5: Even a small dose of penicillin can elicit an allergic reaction in a susceptible client.
Global Rationale: Although each drug in this class has certain unique properties, some generalizations may be made about the penicillins: most are more effective against gram-positive bacteria, although a few have activity against gram-negative bacteria; most have a narrow spectrum of antimicrobial activity; they are widely distributed to most body tissues, although only small amounts reach the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); nearly all are rapidly excreted by the kidneys; most have short half-lives. Allergic reactions are the most common adverse effects of the penicillins and ones that require careful attention by nurses.