A nurse is caring for a client who is taking oral erythromycin. Which of the following statements by the nurse indicates the client is experiencing a common adverse effect of this medication?
A “The client verbalizes a ringing in the ears.”
B “The client reports constipation with abdominal cramping.”
C “The client had a small amount of yellow emesis.”
D “The client has swollen lips.”
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is A: “The client verbalizes a ringing in the ears.”
Explanation:
Oral erythromycin, a macrolide antibiotic, is known to cause several adverse effects. The most common ones include gastrointestinal disturbances and ototoxicity. Here’s a breakdown of why option A is correct:
- Ototoxicity: One of the notable adverse effects of erythromycin is ototoxicity, which can manifest as tinnitus (ringing in the ears). This effect is due to the drug’s interaction with the auditory system, particularly at higher doses or prolonged use. The client reporting a ringing in the ears suggests they may be experiencing this common side effect.
- Gastrointestinal Effects: Erythromycin frequently causes gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. While constipation with abdominal cramping (option B) is less commonly associated with erythromycin, it can occur as a result of the drug’s impact on the gastrointestinal flora or motility. However, this is not as typical as the ototoxicity seen with erythromycin.
- Yellow Emesis: The presence of yellow emesis (option C) could be due to bile or could indicate another issue, but it is not a common adverse effect associated with erythromycin. Yellow emesis could also be related to the stomach’s contents or an unrelated condition.
- Swollen Lips: Swollen lips (option D) are more indicative of an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis rather than a common adverse effect of erythromycin. This would require immediate medical evaluation as it could signify a serious allergic reaction.
In summary, tinnitus or ringing in the ears is a well-documented adverse effect of erythromycin, making option A the correct choice. The other options describe less common or unrelated symptoms in the context of erythromycin’s known side effects.