Question

A nurse is caring for a client who recently began taking oral amoxicillin/clavulanate and reports urticaria. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A) Administer an additional dose of amoxicillin/clavulanate
B) Discontinue the medication immediately
C) Document the findings and continue the medication
D) Switch the client to a different antibiotic

Answer 1

The nurse should immediately discontinue amoxicillin/clavulanate when urticaria is reported as it could indicate an allergic reaction, and inform the healthcare provider. Continuing or administering an additional dose of the medication without consultation could lead to a severe allergic reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a client reports urticaria, which is a type of hives or a skin rash with red, raised, itchy bumps, after beginning a course of amoxicillin/clavulanate, the nurse should recognize this as a potential allergic reaction to the medication. Urticaria can be a common side effect and could possibly indicate a more severe allergic reaction if it worsens. Given that a nurse’s first priority is client safety, the correct course of action in this scenario would be to discontinue the medication immediately and notify the healthcare provider.

It is not advisable to administer an additional dose of the medication or to switch to a different antibiotic without consulting a healthcare provider first. Documentation of the findings is important, but the medication should not be continued due to the potential for a more severe allergic reaction.