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What important instructions should the health care professional give the patient who is taking the cephalosporin drug cephalexin (Keflex)?
- Take with food to decrease gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Report watery or bloody diarrhea.
- Stop drug and notify provider for possible allergic reactions.
- Call 911 for severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing.
- Report unusual bruising or bleeding to provider.
- Report burning, pain, or swelling at IV site during infusion of cephalosporin.
- Understand the potential for nausea, vomiting, severe headache, and hypotension with the combination of the drug and alcohol.
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What important instructions should the health care professional give the patient who is taking the antimycobacterial drug rifampin (Rifadin)?
- Report abdominal pain, nausea, unusual fatigue, or jaundice.
- Be aware that red-orange color of body fluids may occur.
- If wearing soft contact lenses, discuss the possibility of permanent staining with optometrist.
- Report gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms.
- Take with food or empty capsule into food if GI symptoms are problematic (food decreases absorption).
- Consult provider for birth control change if taking oral contraceptive.
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What important instructions should the health care professional give the patient who is taking the sulfonamide drug trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra)?
- Report gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms.
- Take with food to minimize GI symptoms.
- Report rash and hives.
- Report fatigue, pallor, easy bruising, or new infections.
- Report watery or bloody diarrhea.
- Report pain in mouth, difficulty eating, or vaginal burning or discharge.
- Report onset of rash and/or blisters on the skin.
- Be aware that sulfonamides decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives; use an alternate form of contraception.
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What important instructions should the health care professional give the patient who is taking the macrolide drug erythromycin (E-Mycin)?
- Take with food if gastrointestinal symptoms occur, and report continuing symptoms to provider.
- Report palpitations and fainting spells.
- Report hearing loss, vertigo, and tinnitus.
- Report bloody or watery diarrhea.
- Report mouth pain with white patches on the oral mucosa, or vaginal discomfort and discharge.
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What important instructions should the health care professional give the patient who is taking the antiparasitic drug chloroquine (Aralen)?
- Wear sunglasses to help minimize visual effects.
- Report any vision changes.
- Take just before or following a meal to minimize gastrointestinal symptoms.
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What important instructions should the health care professional give the patient who is taking the monobactam drug aztreonam (Azactam)?
- Report pain, redness, or swelling at IV site.
- Report mouth pain and inability to eat.
- Report vaginal burning, itching, or discharge.
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What important instructions should the health care professional give the patient who is taking the antimycobacterial drug isoniazid (INH)?
- Take with food if severe gastrointestinal symptoms occur, and report them to provider.
- Increase fiber and fluids in the diet to prevent constipation.
- Report jaundice, abdominal pain, and unusual fatigue.
- Report numbness, tingling, and pain in hands and feet.
- Report CNS symptoms.
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What important instructions should the health care professional give the patient who is taking the antiparasitic drug metronidazole (Flagyl)?
- Take just before, with, or after a meal if gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms occur.
- Report severe GI symptoms.
- Report CNS symptoms.
- Be aware of darkening of the urine.
- Report pain in mouth, difficulty eating, vaginal burning or discharge, and prostatitis.
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What important instructions should the health care professional give the patient who is taking the azole drug ketoconazole (Nizoral)?
- Report abdominal pain, jaundice, fatigue, or anorexia.
- Take with food to minimize gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Do not take with antacids due to poor absorption of ketoconazole.
- Do not drive or perform other hazardous activities if drowsiness or dizziness occurs.
- Report hormonal symptoms.
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What important instructions should the health care professional give the patient who is taking the aminoglycoside drug Gentamicin (Garamycin)?
- Report onset of tinnitus, headache, vertigo, or hearing loss.
- Report an increase in the output of dilute urine.
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What important instructions should the health care professional give the patient who is taking the penicillin drugs amoxicillin (Amoxil) and amoxicillin and clavulanic acid (Augmentin)?
- Report watery or bloody diarrhea.
- Take drug at the start of meals.
- Report mouth pain or inability to eat.
- Report vaginal burning, itching, and discharge.
- Stop drug and notify provider for possible allergic reactions.
- Call 911 for severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing
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What important instructions should the health care professional give the patient who is taking the polyene antibiotic drug amphotericin B (Fungizone)?
- Be aware that an infusion reaction may occur, and notify staff at beginning symptoms.
- Comply with laboratory testing.
- Report increasing fatigue.
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What important instructions should the health care professional give the patient who is taking the fluoroquinolone drug ciprofloxacin (Cipro)?
- Report CNS symptoms.
- Decrease caffeine use during treatment.
- Report gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Report tendon pain.
- Avoid exposure to sunlight or sunlamps.
- Wear clothes that fully cover the body, and apply sunscreen to remaining areas of exposure.
- Take antacids, iron, calcium, dairy products, and sucralfate 2 hr after or 6 hr before oral ciprofloxacin.
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What important instructions should the health care professional give the patient who is taking the carbapenem drug imipenem (Primaxin)?
- Report nausea, especially when it occurs during IV infusion.
- Report pain, swelling, or redness at IV site.
- Report all drug allergies.
- Report mouth pain and difficulty chewing and swallowing.
- Report vaginal irritation and discharge.
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What important instructions should the health care professional give the patient who is taking the antibacterial drug tetracycline (Sumycin)?
- Take with nondairy foods if gastrointestinal symptoms occur; report symptoms.
- Report to provider if pregnant.
- Report jaundice, abdominal pain, or fatigue.
- Report mouth pain and difficulty chewing or swallowing.
- Report vaginal irritation or discharge.
- Report watery or bloody stools.
- Wear protective clothing and sunscreen for sun exposure.
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What important instructions should the health care professional give the patient who is taking the urinary tract antiseptic nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin)?
- Take with food or milk.
- Report acute or subacute respiratory symptoms, such as dyspnea, fever, or cough.
- Report numbness, tingling, and weakness of the extremities.
- Report fatigue, easy bruising, or repeated infections.
- Swallow capsules whole.
- Dilute liquid suspension.
- Rinse mouth after taking suspension.
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What important instructions should the health care professional give the patient who is taking the antibacterial drug vancomycin (Vancocin)?
- Report flushing and feelings of faintness during IV infusion.
- Report tinnitus or perceived loss of hearing.
- Report an increase or decrease in urine output.
- Report pain, swelling, and redness at IV site immediately
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What important instructions should the health care professional give the patient who is taking the antiviral drug acyclovir (Zovirax)?
- Avoid scratching application site.
- Avoid getting topical form into eyes.
- Report persistent skin symptoms.
- Take with food if gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms occur.
- Report persistent GI or CNS symptoms to provider.
- Be aware that IV hydration will occur during and after infusion.
- Report early symptoms of CNS toxicity, such as restlessness and tremors.
- Report burning and pain at IV site.
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