Editing Pharmacology – LPN Practice Questions (section)

==Question 9==
A client is prescribed metronidazole for a bacterial infection. Which instruction is most important?
# "Take it on an empty stomach for best absorption."
# "Avoid all alcohol during therapy and for at least 3 days after your last dose."
# "Stop the medication once your symptoms improve."
# "Take it with a dairy product to reduce stomach upset."

'''Answer:''' 2 (B) "Avoid all alcohol during therapy and for at least 3 days after your last dose."

''Rationale:'' Metronidazole with alcohol produces a disulfiram-like reaction with severe nausea, vomiting, flushing, headache, and palpitations. Clients should also be told to check mouthwashes and liquid cold preparations for alcohol content. A metallic taste and dark urine are expected and harmless. Option 1 is incorrect since it may be taken with food to reduce upset. Option 3 is wrong for any antibiotic course. Option 4 is not required and dairy interferes with other antibiotics such as tetracyclines rather than helping here.