Question

The nurse is preparing to administer trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) to a client. When assessing client allergies, the client reports that they are allergic to glipizide. What action by the nurse is most appropriate?

Prepare to administer the medication

Report the allergies to the healthcare provider

Review the health record to see if the client is on glipizide

Assess the client's blood sugar

Answer 1

The nurse should report the client's allergy to glipizide to the healthcare provider before administrating trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole, as it is critical to carefully assess the risk of potential cross-reactivity between sulfonylureas and sulfa medications. The correct option is 2).

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse's most appropriate action when a client reports an allergy to glipizide, a sulfonylurea, and is scheduled to receive trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), a sulfa-containing medication, is to report the allergies to the healthcare provider.

Glipizide is not chemically related to sulfamethoxazole; however, given that sulfa allergies are common and can result in serious hypersensitivity reactions, the provider must be informed to assess the relevance of this information for the patient's treatment plan.

Sulfonylureas and sulfonamides, both containing the sulfonamide moiety, may not necessarily cross-react, but caution is warranted, particularly if the patient does have a specified sulfonamide allergy. Option 2) is the correct one.