Question

a nurse is teaching a patient about the common adverse effects of the cephalosporin cephalexin. what side effect would warrant the nurse practitioner to advise the patient to discontinue the medication? select one. a. nausea and vomiting b. headache c. diarrhea d. bloody stool

Explanation:

Cephalexin is an antibiotic. Bloody stool can indicate a serious adverse reaction like Clostridium difficile - associated diarrhea (a more severe form of antibiotic - induced diarrhea). Nausea and vomiting (a), headache (b), and diarrhea (c) are common, less severe side effects of cephalexin and usually do not require immediate discontinuation of the medication unless they are extremely severe or persistent. But bloody stool (d) is a sign of a more serious gastrointestinal complication that warrants stopping the drug.

Answer:

d. Bloody stool