Final answer:
The nurse should administer the prescribed combination of antibiotics, report the case to the health department, and educate the patient on treatment adherence and the importance of treating sexual partners.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse caring for a client with a positive gonorrhea culture should take several actions based on the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). First and foremost, the nurse should administer antibiotics as prescribed. Due to antibiotic resistance, the recommended treatment for gonorrhea often includes a combination of ceftriaxone and azithromycin. Along with treating the infection, it's essential to report the case to the local health department as this is a communicable disease that requires public health intervention.
Counseling the patient regarding the importance of treatment adherence is also crucial, and it involves educating them on the necessity of completing the entire course of antibiotics to minimize the risk of resistance development. Furthermore, advising the client to inform and ensure the treatment of their sexual partners is important to prevent reinfection and curb the spread of the infection. Self-treatment with over-the-counter medications is not advisable due to potential resistance and the serious nature of the infection.