Question

A patient is administered cefotetan for a urinary tract infection. After 2 days, the patient complains of stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating, itching, and headache. The patient also has decreased blood pressure. Which statement describes what the nurse would interpret from the assessment

Answer 1

The patient had ingested alcohol in addition to the cefotetan.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cefotetan is an antibiotic, which is usually taken for urinary tract infections. When cefotetan is in the presence of alcohol, there is interaction between the two substances. The body usually metabolizes cefotetan within 72 hours after ingestion, hence if alcohol is consumed before that, then the patient will experience the symptoms listed in the question.