Final answer:
The nurse should instruct Timothy to complete the full course of antibiotics to prevent resistant bacteria and advise against combining the medication with OTC agents containing peroxide. Additionally, the importance of protecting the skin from sunlight during treatment should be emphasized.
Step-by-step explanation:
If Timothy Hagen, a 16-year-old client, is prescribed an antibacterial medication to treat a skin infection on both arms, the nurse should instruct Timothy about various aspects of his medication regimen. These instructions often include advising the patient that the treatment may take several weeks to fully resolve the infection, ensuring that the full course of antibiotics is taken even if symptoms improve before completion. This is crucial to avoid the risk of resistant bacteria surviving and potentially causing a relapse or spreading the infection.
The nurse should also counsel on avoiding certain substances that can interfere with the effectiveness of the antibiotic. For example, some antibiotics can react adversely with over-the-counter (OTC) agents containing peroxide, so it's important to be cautious about combining medications without professional guidance. Furthermore, while occlusive dressings can keep the area clean, they are not always recommended with every type of medication or infection, so it's best to follow the specific instructions provided by the healthcare provider.
Lastly, some antibiotics can increase photosensitivity, making the skin more susceptible to sunburn. So, avoiding exposure to sunlight or using protective clothing and sunscreen is essential to protect the skin while undergoing treatment with certain medications.