Final answer:
Common side effects of erythromycin include gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea and vomiting due to stomach lining irritation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Erythromycin is an antibiotic commonly used to treat infections like pneumonia. One of the main side effects associated with erythromycin, when taken orally, is gastrointestinal upset, which can manifest as nausea and vomiting. This is due to its irritation of the stomach lining, as the drug can stimulate motility and gastric emptying. Monitoring clients for these symptoms is essential to manage any discomfort and ensure adherence to the antibiotic regimen. Tendon rupture is more commonly associated with fluoroquinolone antibiotics, not macrolides like erythromycin. Esophagitis can occur if the medication is not taken with adequate fluids, and while erythromycin can lead to certain side effects related to the liver or hearing, orange-red discoloration of urine is not a typical side effect of this medication.