A client diagnosed with strep throat requires antibiotics for treatment. With an allergy to penicillin, the nurse understands which medication should be avoided due to cross-sensitivity with penicillin medications?

A. Macrolides: Macrolides, such as azithromycin or erythromycin, are often used as alternatives in clients with a penicillin allergy, as they do not have a beta-lactam ring and generally do not cause cross-reactivity. B. Antiretrovirals: Antiretrovirals are used for treating HIV/AIDS and are unrelated to penicillin antibiotics, with no cross-sensitivity concerns. C. Antimalarials: Antimalarial drugs are used to treat malaria and are not related to penicillin antibiotics, so they would not be a concern for cross-sensitivity. D. Cephalosporins: Cephalosporins have a beta-lactam structure similar to penicillins, which can sometimes cause cross-reactivity in clients with a penicillin allergy. However, the risk is lower with newer generations.