Spectrum of activity
Spectrum of activity ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a client who has meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. The provider orders penicillin G IV for this client.
Before administering the medication, which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Choice A is wrong because checking the client’s temperature is not a priority action before giving penicillin G. Although fever is a common sign of meningitis, it does not affect the administration of penicillin
Choice B is wrong because assessing the client’s level of consciousness is not a priority action before giving penicillin G. Although altered mental status is a common sign of meningitis, it does not affect the administration of penicillin
This is because penicillin G is a beta-lactam antibiotic that can cause severe allergic reactions in some people, such as anaphylaxis, rash, or angioedema. Therefore, the nurse should always check for any history of allergies before administering penicillin G or any other beta-lactam antibiotic.
Choice D is wrong because obtaining a blood sample for culture and sensitivity is not a priority action before giving penicillin G. Although culture and sensitivity tests are important to identify the causative organism and the appropriate antibiotic, they should not delay the initiation of empiric therapy for meningitis. Penicillin G is effective against Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in adults.
This is because penicillin G is a beta-lactam antibiotic that can cause severe allergic reactions in some people, such as anaphylaxis, rash, or angioedema. Therefore, the nurse should always check for any history of allergies before administering penicillin G or any other beta-lactam antibiotic.
Choice A is wrong because checking the client’s temperature is not a priority action before giving penicillin G. Although fever is a common sign of meningitis, it does not affect the administration of penicillin
Choice B is wrong because assessing the client’s level of consciousness is not a priority action before giving penicillin G. Although altered mental status is a common sign of meningitis, it does not affect the administration of penicillin
Choice D is wrong because obtaining a blood sample for culture and sensitivity is not a priority action before giving penicillin G. Although culture and sensitivity tests are important to identify the causative organism and the appropriate antibiotic, they should not delay the initiation of empiric therapy for meningitis. Penicillin G is effective against Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in adults.