Describe your assigned client’s situation. Why are they presenting to the
clinic? What medications are they currently taking?
My client is a 37-year-old female that denies any pertinent PMH presenting to
the client compliant of productive cough producing yellow mucus, fever,
chills, and fatigue x3 days with transient pyretic relief with OTC Tylenol.
Medication history includes only medroxyprogesterone and socially denies
tobacco use but endorses alcohol use twice a month.
Assess the applicable clinical practice guideline (CPG) for your assigned
client. What treatment is recommended by the CPG for your client’s
situation?
In the absence of a positive COVID/FLU/RSV test and presence of diminished
lung sounds, crackles in the right lower lobe, productive cough with colorful
production, and fever despite OTC treatment, the clinical practice guideline
recommends empiric antibiotic therapy.
Discuss your personal professional assessment of the client’s situation
provided in the scenario. What pharmacological treatment is necessary and
why?
Given the scenario, the client is suffering from bacterial pneumonia. Due to
the lack of comorbidities and absence of known minor and major criteria
such as increased respiratory rate greater than 30, confusion/disorientation,
uremia, hypotension, sepsis, and respiratory failure, it is appropriate to
proceed with outpatient treatment and antibiotic therapy (Metlay et al,
2019). For this client, the CPG recommends starting with amoxicillin 1g three
times daily (Metlay et al, 2019). Duration is patient dependent with health
history taken into account; being this client is absent of comorbidities, a 5 to
7 day course would be appropriate, leaning more conservative to prevent
resistance (Ramirez, 2023).
Reflect on additional questions you have about your assigned client that may
influence treatment. What else do you need to know? What follow-up
assessments, labs, or conversations are required to ensure optimal health
outcomes?
Additional information needed from the client is to verify she has no allergies
to penicillins or cephalosporins. Additionally, education on potential side
effects like hypersensitivity to the drug should be discussed. Emphasizing
the importance of finishing the entire course of medication to ensure
effectiveness now and in the future is also vital. Follow up with the client
after course completion or a day or two prior is essential to ensure no
additional treatment is necessary. Repeat or initial chest x-ray to ensure
