Question

A nurse is caring for a client who has pneumonia.

Provider Prescriptions
Day 4, 1500:
Discharge prescriptions:
Cephalexin 500 mg PO every 6 hr for 5 days
Prednisone 40 mg PO daily for 5 days
Home oxygen 3 L/min via nasal cannula

The nurse is providing discharge teaching for the client and their caregiver.
Which of the following information should the nurse include?
Select all that apply.

• Antibiotic therapy should be taken for 10 days.
• Store the oxygen cylinder wrench with the oxygen tank.
• Adjust the oxygen flow rate as needed to ease breathing.
• Antibiotic medication can be taken with or without food.
• Ensure the oxygen delivery system is at least 8 feet from any heat source.
• The steroid dose will decrease each day.
• Steroid medication should be taken in the morning.

Answer 1

The nurse should include information about the duration of antibiotic therapy, adjusting oxygen flow rate, and the decreasing steroid dose in the discharge teaching.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should include the following information:

• Antibiotic therapy should be taken for 10 days: It is important to complete the full course of antibiotics to ensure that the infection is completely eradicated and to prevent the development of antibiotic resistance.
• Adjust the oxygen flow rate as needed to ease breathing: The caregiver should be aware of how to adjust the oxygen flow rate based on the client's breathing needs. This can help provide optimal oxygen levels for the client.
• The steroid dose will decrease each day: It is important for the client and caregiver to know that the steroid dose will gradually decrease each day according to the prescribed treatment plan.