Final answer:
The nurse should assess the patient for epigastric discomfort when administering metronidazole to treat hepatic encephalopathy due to side effects associated with the drug. Monitoring is essential due to metronidazole's impact on DNA replication and potential liver function implications.
Step-by-step explanation:
Metronidazole Treatment for C. difficile in Digestive System
When administering metronidazole to treat hepatic encephalopathy, it is important for a nurse to monitor the patient carefully. Since metronidazole is an antibiotic preferred for treating C. difficile infections after confirming the diagnosis, it can also lead to notable side effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort. Due to its mechanism of action on DNA replication in target cells, careful monitoring for adverse effects is crucial. Epigastric discomfort is a common side effect associated with metronidazole, and hence, the nurse must assess the patient for this. Metronidazole can also have an impact on liver function, which is particularly relevant for a patient with hepatic encephalopathy—a neuropsychiatric abnormality due to liver failure.
However, in treating C. difficile specifically, metronidazole is used if the diagnosis is confirmed, focusing on maintaining supportive therapy with fluids and electrolyte replacement. If metronidazole is ineffective, other treatments such as vancomycin or a fecal transplant might be considered. In any case, the duration of medication use should be based on the specific condition being treated and the prescriber's instructions, not a predetermined timeframe like 2 weeks for all cases. Monitoring and treatment adjustments are often conducted based on the patient's response to the therapy and any concurrent complications.