Question

The patient is prescribed metronidazole (Flagyl) for adjunct treatment for a duodenal ulcer. When teaching about this medication, the nurse would say: A. "This medication should be taken only until you begin to feel better." B. "This medication should be taken on an empty stomach to increase absorption." C. "While taking this medication, you do not have to be concerned about being in the sun." D. "While taking this medication, alcoholic beverages and products containing alcohol should be avoided."

Short answer

Answer: "While taking this medication, alcoholic beverages and products containing alcohol should be avoided."

Step-by-step solution

Identify the correct statement about metronidazole (Flagyl)

First, we need to identify the correct statement about metronidazole (Flagyl) to determine which option a nurse would say when teaching a patient about this medication. We will examine each option and choose the appropriate one. #step2#

Evaluate option A

Option A states: "This medication should be taken only until you begin to feel better." This is incorrect because patients must finish their prescribed course of antibiotics to avoid antibiotic resistance. Taking antibiotics partially can make the bacteria develop resistance against the drug. #step3#

Evaluate option B

Option B states: "This medication should be taken on an empty stomach to increase absorption." This is incorrect because metronidazole can be taken with or without food. Taking it with food may help to reduce stomach upset. #step4#

Evaluate option C

Option C states: "While taking this medication, you do not have to be concerned about being in the sun." This is incorrect because metronidazole does not cause photosensitivity. However, some other antibiotics like tetracyclines can cause photosensitivity. #step5#

Evaluate option D

Option D states: "While taking this medication, alcoholic beverages and products containing alcohol should be avoided." This is correct because consuming alcohol while taking metronidazole can lead to a disulfiram-like reaction, causing vomiting, flushing, headache, and abdominal pain. Therefore, patients should avoid alcohol during the treatment and up to 72 hours after the last dose. #step6#

Select the correct answer

Based on the evaluation, the correct answer is option D, as it is the most accurate and relevant statement a nurse should tell a patient taking metronidazole (Flagyl) for a duodenal ulcer.

Key concepts

Antibiotic Resistance Education

Understanding antibiotic resistance is crucial for both healthcare professionals and patients. This phenomenon occurs when bacteria change in response to the use of antibiotics, leading to medications becoming less effective. As a content creator focused on nursing education, it's essential to highlight the importance of antibiotic stewardship.

One of the fundamental points in combating antibiotic resistance is taking the full prescribed course of an antibiotic, as exemplified in the case of metronidazole (Flagyl). In the given exercise, teaching the patient to continue the medication until completion, even after feeling better, is imperative to avoid developing resistance.

Certain practices can contribute to antibiotic resistance, such as over-prescribing antibiotics, patients not finishing their treatment, and overuse in agriculture and animal husbandry. To address these issues, nurses should be educated on:

• Proper prescription and use of antibiotics.
• Counseling patients on the importance of completing the full course of treatment.
• Identifying and preventing infections to minimize the need for antibiotics.

Incorporating these points into nursing curriculums and patient education can help mitigate the spread of resistant bacteria.

Medication Administration Teaching

Medication administration is another critical area of focus for nursing education. Patients must understand how to take their medications correctly to ensure the best possible outcomes. Metronidazole, in the given exercise, can be taken with or without food, a decision often based on individual patient needs to minimize side effects such as stomach upset.

When nurses educate patients on medication administration, they must communicate clear and precise instructions, including:

• Proper dosage and timing of medication intake.
• The importance of adherence to prescribed medication schedules.
• Potential food and drug interactions, such as avoiding alcohol with metronidazole.
• Recognizing and managing side effects appropriately.

This component of patient teaching is crucial in promoting medication safety and effectiveness and should be a staple in NCLEX-PN exam preparation materials.

NCLEX-PN Exam Preparation

Preparing for the NCLEX-PN exam is a significant step towards a practical nursing career. This examination tests the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for safe and effective entry-level nursing practice. Vital aspects of the NCLEX-PN exam include pharmacology, patient teaching, and safe medication administration—topics that are directly relevant to the exercise involving metronidazole.

As students prepare for the exam, they should focus on:

• Understanding the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of common medications like metronidazole.
• Recognizing symptoms of drug interactions and contraindications.
• Building comprehensive patient education strategies.
• Developing critical thinking skills to apply knowledge to various patient scenarios.

Study guides, practice questions, and simulation exercises are instrumental tools in NCLEX-PN exam prep. By integrating these approaches with a focus on medication safety and patient education, students will be well-prepared for the questions they'll encounter on the exam and their future role as practical nurses.