A nurse is preparing to give an antibiotic to a patient who reports being allergic to antibiotics. Before giving the medication, what will the nurse do first?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse needs to assess whether the patient is truly allergic to this drug. Allergic reactions require previous exposure to the drug, so the nurse should ask whether the patient has taken this antibiotic before. If a patient is allergic to a drug, lowering the dose will not decrease the risk of allergic reaction. Antihistamines sometimes are given when patients must take a drug to which they are allergic.

A Nurse Is Preparing to Give an Antibiotic to a Patient