Question

A nurse is preping to administer a new prescription of amoxicillin/Clavulanic to a client. The client tells the nurse that they are allergic to penicillin. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

1) Stop the administration of amoxicillin/Clavulanic
2) Administer a lower dose of amoxicillin/Clavulanic
3) Administer a different antibiotic
4) Consult with the client's doctor

Answer 1

The first action a nurse should take when a client says they are allergic to penicillin is to consult with the client's doctor. Amoxicillin/Clavulanic can trigger an allergic reaction in those allergic to penicillin, so its administration should be stopped immediately until further instruction from a healthcare provider is received.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a client informs a nurse that they are allergic to penicillin, the first action the nurse should take is to consult with the client's doctor. Amoxicillin/Clavulanic is a combination of amoxicillin, a penicillin derivative and clavulanic acid, which can trigger an allergic reaction in individuals who are allergic to penicillin. It's critical to avoid administering this antibiotic to prevent a potentially severe allergic reaction. Penicillin allergies can range from mild to life-threatening and patients with a known allergy to penicillin should generally not be given penicillin or closely related antibiotics.

Due to the risk of cross-reactivity, it is unsafe to administer lower doses or to proceed without consulting a healthcare provider. Therefore the safest course of action is to immediately stop the administration of amoxicillin/Clavulanic and to get further instructions from the healthcare provider who prescribed the medication.