Question

Diarrhea (The nurse should monitor for diarrhea, which is an adverse effect of antibiotics, such as amoxicillin.)

a) to assess for constipation
b) for optimal bowel function
c) as a desired therapeutic effect
d) an adverse effect of amoxicillin

Answer 1

Diarrhea is a common adverse effect of antibiotic treatment, including amoxicillin, caused by disruption of the gut's normal flora, notably by the overgrowth of C. difficile. Nurses should monitor for this condition as part of patient care. Probiotics may help reduce the incidence, and fecal transplants have been explored for severe cases.

Step-by-step explanation:

Antibiotics are powerful medications used to treat bacterial infections. However, the use of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic-associated diarrhea, which is a common adverse effect. This condition arises because antibiotics can disrupt the normal microbial flora of the gut, killing beneficial bacteria and allowing the overgrowth of harmful bacteria such as Clostridium difficile (C. difficile). C. difficile is a notable cause of severe and chronic diarrhea, particularly when the normal intestinal bacteria are reduced due to antibiotic use. The nurse should monitor patients on antibiotics like amoxicillin for symptoms of diarrhea to manage this adverse effect promptly.

Probiotics have been suggested to reduce the incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhea significantly. In some cases, especially with a C. difficile infection, conventional antibiotic treatments may exacerbate the condition. Alternative treatments, such as fecal transplants, have been explored to restore normal intestinal flora and treat the antibiotic-associated complications.