Question

A female patient has been prescribed a course of antibiotics for the treatment of a UTI. When providing health education for the patient, the nurse should address what topic?

A) The risk of developing a vaginal yeast infection as a consequent of antibiotic therapy
B) The need to expect a heavy menstrual period following the course of antibiotics
C) The risk of developing antibiotic resistance after the course of antibiotics
D) The need to undergo a series of three urine cultures after the antibiotics have been completed"

Answer 1

The nurse should discuss the risk of developing a vaginal yeast infection following antibiotic use for UTI treatment, caused by an imbalance in the normal microbiota, and the importance of completing the medication to prevent antibiotic resistance.

Step-by-step explanation:

When providing health education to a female patient who has been prescribed a course of antibiotics for the treatment of a UTI, the nurse should address the risk of developing a vaginal yeast infection as a consequence of antibiotic therapy. This occurs because antibiotics can disrupt the normal microbiota, leading to overgrowth of opportunistic pathogens like Candida albicans, which may result in symptoms such as vaginal itching, burning, and discharge. To manage this, vaginal yeast infections are typically treated with topical antifungal medications. Additionally, it is important to encourage the patient to complete the entire course of antibiotics to avoid antibiotic resistance and ensure the elimination of the infectious bacteria.