Question

The nurse is caring for a child recently diagnosed with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. The nurse is providing teaching regarding triggers that may result in oxidative stress. Which of the following responses indicates a need for further teaching?

A) ""I doubt he will ever eat fava beans, but they could trigger hemolysis.""
B) ""He must avoid exposure to naphthalene, an agent in mothballs.""
C) ""He must never take methylene blue for a urinary tract infection.""
D) ""My son can never take penicillin for an infection.""

Answer 1

According to the teaching regarding G6PD deficiency, a common response reflects the need for further teaching, specifically concerning the avoidance of penicillin, which is not universally contraindicated in G6PD deficiency.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question revolves around the understanding of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and the avoidance of triggers that may induce oxidative stress in patients. When educating a patient or their family about G6PD deficiency, it is essential to identify agents that could precipitate hemolytic crises.

Fava beans, naphthalene found in mothballs, and methylene blue are known triggers that should be avoided due to their potential to cause oxidative damage to glutathione-deficient red blood cells. However, the response indicating that "My son can never take penicillin for an infection" needs further teaching. While some antibiotics need to be avoided in G6PD deficiency, penicillin is not universally contraindicated and may be safe unless the patient has shown a specific reaction to it in the past.