NURS 3100 Exam 1 Practice

In the case of an allergic reaction to antibiotics, what should the nurse prioritize first?

1. Notify the FDA

2. Notify the hospital risk management

3. Notify the healthcare provider

4. Notify the hospital pharmacist

The correct answer is: Notify the FDA

In the case of an allergic reaction to antibiotics, the nurse should prioritize notifying the FDA first. This is because the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is responsible for monitoring the safety and effectiveness of medications, including antibiotics. Reporting allergic reactions to the FDA is essential for tracking and assessing the safety of medications to protect patients from harm in the future. This action can lead to potential changes in the medication's safety profile, warnings, or even future recalls if needed. Notifying the healthcare provider, hospital risk management, or hospital pharmacist can also be important steps to take, but in terms of prioritization for the safety of patients on a broader scale, notifying the FDA is crucial.