Certified Medical Assistant (CMA AAMA)PharmacologyHard
A patient calls the clinic reporting severe nausea and vomiting after starting a new course of antibiotics. The medical assistant should advise the patient to:
- ADiscontinue the antibiotic immediately and come to the clinic.
- BTake an over-the-counter antiemetic with the antibiotic.
- CTake the antibiotic with food or a full glass of water.
- DDouble the next dose of the antibiotic to compensate.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Take the antibiotic with food or a full glass of water.
Many antibiotics can cause gastrointestinal upset, including nausea and vomiting. Taking the medication with food or a full glass of water often helps to mitigate these side effects. Discontinuing without medical advice or doubling the dose can be dangerous.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Discontinuing antibiotics prematurely can lead to antibiotic resistance or incomplete treatment of the infection. The MA should advise taking with food first and if symptoms persist, to contact the provider.
- B. Advising an over-the-counter antiemetic without consulting the prescribing provider is outside the MA's scope of practice and could mask serious adverse effects or interact with the antibiotic.
- D. Doubling an antibiotic dose is extremely dangerous and can lead to toxicity; this should never be advised.
Managing Antibiotic GI Upset
To alleviate nausea/vomiting from antibiotics, advise taking with food or a full glass of water, unless contraindicated.
- GI upset is a common antibiotic side effect.
- Food/water can buffer the stomach.
- Never discontinue or alter dosage without provider's order.
Memory trick: Antibiotics: 'Eat' with them, 'Drink' with them to feel better, don't 'Quit' or 'Double'.