QLexNursing

1. A nurse administered an antibiotic to prevent a post-operative infection.

Correct Answer: Prophylactic therapy

🛡️ Prophylactic therapy is used to prevent disease or complications before they occur, rather than treating an existing condition.

🛡️ In this case, the antibiotic is given before infection develops post-surgery to reduce the risk of surgical site infections.

🛡️ This approach is common in pre-operative care for clients at high risk of infection or after invasive procedures.

🛡️ Prophylactic therapy helps improve patient outcomes by preventing complications rather than treating symptoms.

🛡️ Administering antibiotics according to timing guidelines (usually within 60 minutes before incision) maximizes effectiveness.

2. A client is given pain medication around the clock to improve comfort.

Correct Answer: Palliative therapy

💙 Palliative therapy focuses on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life, rather than curing the underlying disease.

💙 In this example, pain medication is administered to manage discomfort, ensuring the client remains comfortable and functional.

💙 Palliative care is commonly used in chronic or terminal illnesses, but it can also be applied to acute symptom management.

💙 The goal is comfort, not disease resolution, and may involve pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions.

💙 Palliative therapy helps clients maintain dignity and quality of life throughout illness progression.

3. A client is prescribed estrogen replacement therapy during menopause.

Correct Answer: Supplemental therapy

🔹 Supplemental therapy provides a substance the body is lacking or not producing adequately.

🔹 Estrogen replacement replaces hormones lost during menopause, restoring balance and alleviating symptoms like hot flashes or osteoporosis risk.

🔹 Supplemental therapy can include vitamins, minerals, hormones, or enzymes, depending on the deficiency.

🔹 The goal is to normalize physiological function rather than treat a specific illness caused by infection or injury.

🔹 This therapy helps maintain homeostasis and prevent long-term complications of hormone deficiency.

4. A client was prescribed a medication to treat a suspected urinary tract infection.

Correct Answer: Empiric therapy

⚡ Empiric therapy is initiated before the exact cause of a disease is confirmed, based on the most likely pathogens and clinical judgment.

⚡ In this example, the antibiotic is prescribed for a suspected UTI even before culture results confirm the infection.

⚡ Empiric therapy is common in acute infections where delaying treatment could worsen outcomes.

⚡ Once laboratory results are available, therapy may be adjusted to targeted treatment based on pathogen sensitivity.

⚡ Empiric therapy balances timely intervention with evidence-based assumptions to prevent complications.