Question

A mother of a 2-year-old client calls a provider's clinic to speak with a nurse. A provider prescribed an antibiotic medication two days prior for an infection. The mother reports the client woke from a nap and has new hives over their abdomen, back, and extremities. The mother further reports the client is crying frequently and is difficult to console. The client has had four doses of the antibiotic, and the mother is asking if the client should receive another dose. Respond to the following questions and provide an evidence-based rationale.

Identify relevant information regarding the client's condition.

Answer 1

The significant information about the client's condition suggests a likely allergic reaction to an antibiotic medication prescribed two days earlier. It is imperative to withhold further doses and immediately seek medical advice from the provider's clinic.

Step-by-step explanation:

The relevant information regarding the client's condition includes the prescription of antibiotic medication for an infection two days ago, the onset of new hives over the abdomen, back, and extremities after waking from a nap, frequent crying, and difficulty in consoling the child. These symptoms could potentially indicate an allergic reaction to the antibiotic the client has been taking. Since the child is showing signs of distress and new symptoms of an allergic reaction, it would be prudent to withhold further doses of the antibiotic and contact the provider for immediate medical advice. Allergic reactions to antibiotics, such as the development of hives and irritability, warrant careful assessment. In such cases, stopping the medication and seeking medical attention is necessary to prevent further complications. The provider's clinic should be informed of the new symptoms so that appropriate actions, such as changing the medication or providing treatment for the allergic reaction, can be recommended. Past cases in clinical practices have shown that continuation of an antibiotic regimen in the presence of an allergic reaction could lead to more severe health issues, and thus should be avoided until professional medical advice has been given.