Question

A nurse is collecting data from a client who has a prescription for oral clindamycin hydrochloride. Which of the following findings should the nurse immediately report to the provider?

A. Watery diarrhea Rationale: The greatest risk to this client who is taking clindamycin hydrochloride is colitis, ranging from mild diarrhea to a severe, life-threatening condition called pseudomembranous colitis. Watery diarrhea might be a manifestation of pseudomembranous colitis; therefore, this is the priority finding to report to the provider.
B. Nausea Rationale: The nurse should monitor the client for nausea, an adverse effect of clindamycin hydrochloride; however, this is not the priority finding to report.
C. Abdominal bloating Rationale: The nurse should monitor the client for abdominal bloating, an adverse effect of clindamycin hydrochloride; however, this is not the priority finding to report.
D. Pruritus Rationale: The nurse should monitor the client for pruritus, an adverse effect of clindamycin hydrochloride; however, this is not the priority finding to report.

Answer 1

The nurse should immediately report watery diarrhea in a client prescribed clindamycin hydrochloride to the healthcare provider, as it may indicate pseudomembranous colitis caused by Clostridium difficile, a condition that can be life-threatening.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a client who is prescribed oral clindamycin hydrochloride exhibits watery diarrhea, this symptom should be immediately reported to the healthcare provider.

Clindamycin can lead to a serious condition known as pseudomembranous colitis, caused by the bacterium Clostridium difficile. This condition can range from mild diarrhea to life-threatening scenarios that necessitate urgent medical attention. Symptoms such as watery diarrhea are concerning because they might indicate the presence of this severe colitis.

Clostridium difficile infection is particularly risky for individuals who have recently used antibiotics, are immunocompromised, or have been hospitalized for an extended time. Other side effects of clindamycin, like nausea, abdominal bloating, and pruritus, should also be monitored, but these are not as immediately alarming as watery diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration, fever, and even septicemia if the colon is perforated. In cases where C. difficile is suspected, diagnostic tests such as a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) may be employed to identify the presence of the pathogenic bacteria.