Final answer:
Drug resistance in patients previously treated for tuberculosis is a major concern in healthcare. Nurses must know which drugs a patient was prescribed in the past in order to determine the appropriate course of treatment. This information helps in selecting the most effective medication regimen to combat drug-resistant tuberculosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Drug resistance in patients previously treated for tuberculosis is a major concern in healthcare. Some strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis have developed resistance to certain antibiotics, making it difficult to effectively treat the infection. It is important for nurses to know which drugs the patient was prescribed in the past because this information helps in determining the appropriate course of treatment. Understanding the patient's history with specific antibiotics can guide healthcare professionals in selecting the most effective medication regimen to combat drug-resistant tuberculosis.