A nurse is reviewing the medical record for a client who is at 38 weeks of gestation, tested positive for group B streptococcus B-hemolytic, and is allergic to penicillin. The nurse should identify that which of the following medications is contraindicated for this client?
Explanation & Rationale
Answer: A Rationale: A) Ampicillin: Ampicillin is contraindicated for this client because it belongs to the penicillin class of antibiotics. Since the client is allergic to penicillin, administering ampicillin could trigger an allergic reaction, which could range from mild rash to severe anaphylaxis. B) Erythromycin: Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic and can be used as an alternative for clients who are allergic to penicillin. It is often prescribed for group B streptococcus infections in penicillin-allergic clients, making it a suitable option in this case. C) Cefazolin: Cefazolin is a cephalosporin antibiotic and is generally considered safe for clients with a penicillin allergy, except in cases of severe penicillin allergies. Cross-reactivity is low, and cefazolin can be an appropriate choice for treating group B streptococcus. D) Clindamycin: Clindamycin is a lincosamide antibiotic and is often used for clients with penicillin allergies. It is effective against group B streptococcus and does not belong to the penicillin or cephalosporin classes, making it a suitable option for this client.