Practice Question
A client with a history of anaphylactic reaction to penicillin receives a prescription for cephalexin 500 mg PO twice daily. Which action should the nurse take?
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Contact the healthcare provider.
Rationale:
🔶 Cephalexin, a cephalosporin, has a known potential for cross-reactivity with penicillin in clients with a history of anaphylaxis.
🔶 Even though the cross-allergy rate is low (about 1–4%), a history of anaphylactic reaction to penicillin warrants extreme caution.
🔶 The nurse must prioritize client safety by notifying the provider to consider an alternative antibiotic.
🔶 Administering cephalexin without prior clearance may expose the client to life-threatening allergic responses, including airway compromise and shock.
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This question is from HESI-RN~311 Pharmacology which contains 40 questions.
More Questions from This Exam
A patient with peptic ulcer disease is scheduled to receive doses of pantoprazole IV and sucralfate PO before breakfast at 0800. The patient reports experiencing heartburn. The nurse brings the scheduled medications. Which action should the nurse take?
Answer Choices:
A. Provide a PRN dose of antacid along with the scheduled medications.
B. Instruct the client to take the dose of sucralfate PO while eating breakfast.
C. Hold the dose of IV pantoprazole until the client has finished eating breakfast.
D. Administer both of the medications before breakfast as scheduled.
Ferrous sulfate elixir is prescribed for a client with iron deficiency anemia. Which instruction should the nurse provide this client about taking the liquid medication?
Answer Choices:
A. Use a straw to ingest.
B. Swallow undiluted.
C. Mix with an antacid.
D. Take with a glass of milk.
A client with chronic asthma receives a prescription for montelukast, a leukotriene modifier. Which statement by the client indicates to the nurse that medication teaching was effective?
Answer Choices:
A. I should take this medication only when I am having an asthma attack.
B. I will not need to use my inhalers twice a day when I start this medicine.
C. I will take the tablet every evening to control my asthma.
D. This medication will stop an asthma attack immediately.
The nurse is providing discharge instructions for a client with metastatic cancer who is prescribed morphine for bone pain. Which information from the client indicates to the nurse an understanding of the medication?
Answer Choices:
A. Observe bowel movement pattern and take a stool softener.
B. Do not drink grapefruit juice after taking morphine.
C. Take the benzodiazepine at the same time as taking the morphine.
D. Watch for signs of agitation and record any insomnia.
A client is scheduled for a spiral computed tomography (CT) scan with contrast to evaluate for pulmonary embolism. Which information in the client’s history requires follow-up by the nurse?
Answer Choices:
A. A CT scan that was performed six months earlier.
B. Takes metformin hydrochloride for type 2 diabetes mellitus.
C. Report of client’s sobriety for the last five years.
D. Metal hip prosthesis was placed twenty years ago.
Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: HESI Exam(s)
- Domain: Hesi Pharmacology
- Answer Choices: 4