A nurse is collecting data from a client who has a urinary tract infection and is taking ciprofloxacin. The client reports pain in her calf muscle. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

Rationale: A. "Discontinue the medication. I will ask your provider for another antibiotic.": Calf pain in a client taking ciprofloxacin may indicate tendinitis or even tendon rupture, a serious adverse effect associated with fluoroquinolones. The nurse should advise discontinuation of the drug and alert the provider immediately to prevent permanent damage. B. "That reaction means your dose is too high. Cut the pill in half.": Reducing the dose without provider approval is unsafe and does not address the underlying risk of tendon injury. Ciprofloxacin-related tendinopathy is not dose-dependent and requires immediate discontinuation. C. "Continue to take the medication. Calf pain is a minor reaction that will resolve itself.": Calf pain during ciprofloxacin therapy should never be dismissed as minor, since it may signal tendon inflammation or rupture. D. “This is an allergic reaction. Take the medication with an antihistamine.": Tendon-related adverse effects are not allergic reactions and will not respond to antihistamines. Misclassifying the symptom as an allergy delays the proper intervention and increases the risk of irreversible tendon damage.