NURS 3100 Exam 1 Practice

How should the nurse respond to a patient requesting a higher dose of antibiotics to cure their infection faster?

1. I will check with the physician to see if it is time to increase the medication

2. You are at a maximum dose; taking more will cause interactions with other medications

3. You are at a maximum dose; taking more will not help

4. You must stay on this drug for 2 more weeks before it can be increased

The correct answer is: You are at a maximum dose; taking more will not help

Taking a higher dose of antibiotics than prescribed will not make the infection go away faster. In fact, it can be harmful to the patient's health by increasing the risk of side effects and potentially causing interactions with other medications. The nurse should explain to the patient that they are already at the maximum safe dose and taking more will not bring faster relief. It is important to follow the prescribed treatment plan and take the medication as directed by the physician for the recommended duration. Simply increasing the dose without consulting with the physician can be dangerous and may not actually help to cure the infection any faster.