Question

A patient is being treated for a systemic fungal infection with amphotericin B [Abelcet] and will be discharged home from the hospital to complete every other day infusions of the medication for 6 to 8 weeks. The nurse provides discharge teaching before dismissal. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?

A) "I may experience headaches and pain in my lower back, legs, and abdomen."
B) "I may need to take potassium supplements while taking this drug."
C) "I should take acetaminophen and diphenhydramine before each infusion."
D) "I will need to have blood drawn for serum creatinine and BUN levels every 3 to 4 days."

Answer 1

a) I may experience headaches and pain in my lower back, legs, and abdomen."

Step-by-step explanation:

• The patient may experience headaches and pain in the lower back, legs, and abdomen because they are side effects of amphotericin B.

• Amphotercin may cause the patient to expreience hypokalemia, and the use of potassium supplement while taking amphotercin help reduce it.

• Infusion of the drug may cause some adverse reaction in the patient. He'll need to take acetaminophen and diphenhydramine before infusion.

• Drawing blood for serum creatinine and Bun levels to measure the patient's renal function is very important, because it should be measured every 3 to 4 days to monitor the patient's kidney condition due to the effects of amphotercin.

Therefore, if the patient makes the statement in option A, it clearly indicates the patient needs more diacharge teachings.