Final answer:
The nurse should not administer penicillin to Brandon due to his allergy and must contact the prescribing physician for an alternative treatment plan. Administering penicillin to a patient with an allergy to it can lead to severe complications.
Step-by-step explanation:
A 10-year-old patient named Brandon has been admitted for bacterial pneumonia and is allergic to penicillin. Despite this allergy, the MD's order involves 500 mg of penicillin to be taken twice a day (bid). Given that the medication available is in 1 g tablets, the nurse faces a serious medical discrepancy due to Brandon's allergy. In the context of medication errors and patient safety, it is critical that the nurse recognize the contraindication and take appropriate action. The correct course of action requires that the nurse not administer the penicillin and instead contact the prescribing physician immediately to inform them of the patient's allergy and to obtain an alternative medication order. In healthcare, patient safety is paramount, and administering penicillin to an allergic patient can lead to serious complications or anaphylaxis. Penicillin allergies are common and can have severe consequences, so alternatives such as cephalosporins or azithromycin might be considered in such cases, depending on the sensitivity spectrum required for the patient's condition.