Question

A client who is taking an oral dose of a tetracycline complains of gastrointestinal upset. What snack should the nurse instruct the client to take with the tetracycline?

Answer 1

To alleviate gastrointestinal upset caused by tetracycline medication, the nurse should instruct the client to consume dairy products such as milk or yogurt.

Step-by-step explanation:

When taking an oral dose of tetracycline, it is common for some clients to experience gastrointestinal upset. To alleviate this issue, the nurse should instruct the client to consume a snack or meal that contains dairy products like milk or yogurt with their tetracycline medication.

Consuming dairy products with tetracycline can help minimize the gastrointestinal side effects. This is because the calcium present in dairy products binds to the tetracycline, preventing its absorption in the gut and reducing the risk of gastrointestinal distress.

It's important to note that the client should not consume calcium-rich foods or supplements within 2 hours of taking tetracycline, as this can interfere with the medication's effectiveness.