A nurse is preparing to administer a newly prescribed antibiotic to a client. During the review of the client’s medical record, the nurse notices a documented allergy to penicillin. What is the BEST initial nursing action?
Withhold the medication and contact the provider for clarification.
Reach out to the pharmacy to verify the medication order.
Review hospital policy on administering antibiotics to allergic clients.
Administer the medication and carefully observe for a reaction.
The correct answer is to withhold the medication and contact the provider for clarification or an alternative. Penicillin allergies can pose a significant risk of reaction, and many antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, share similar structures that can result in cross-sensitivity. Administering a medication with a known potential for causing an allergic reaction can compromise client safety. The other options are incorrect because they either delay action to address the allergy (e.g., reviewing hospital policies or contacting the pharmacy) or proceed with unnecessary risk, as monitoring for a reaction rather than intervening is not a safe practice in this scenario.
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