A Nurse in the Emergency Department Is Caring for a 23-Year-Old

Multiple Choice

A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a 23-year-old female who is on vacation for her honeymoon. Two days ago, she began experiencing burning while voiding and a tactile fever. The patient reports she has been treating the symptoms with cranberry tablets and increased fluid intake. Her symptoms have not improved and now she is experiencing a frequent urge to void and lower abdominal pain. Upon assessment, the nurse finds the patient has a low-grade fever.
-The medical provider prescribes an antibiotic regimen.The patient asks the nurse if antibiotics are necessary if she increases her intake of cranberry tablets.What is the most appropriate response by the nurse?  

A) Cranberry tablets should acidify your bladder and urinary tract,effectively killing bacteria.Antibiotics shouldn't be necessary if you increase your dose.
B) Your genitourinary tract defenses should be able to fight this infection without the use of antibiotics or additional therapies.If your symptoms worsen,you should take the antibiotics.
C) It is important to complete a course of antibiotics to prevent this infection from becoming more serious.
D) You must take the antibiotics to prevent this infection from spreading to others.