RN Exam Practice
Health Promotion and MaintenanceQuestion 465 of 2368

Which instruction should the nurse give a client who is prescribed a cephalosporin?

  1. Take the drug with milk to improve absorption
  2. Avoid dairy products to prevent crystal formation in the urine
  3. Avoid alcohol because of the risk of a disulfiram-like reaction
  4. Expect the urine to turn red-orange
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Correct answer: Avoid alcohol because of the risk of a disulfiram-like reaction

Alcohol with cephalosporins can cause severe headache, flushing, nausea and vomiting.

Source: Nursing Pharmacology, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2023), Antimicrobials: CEPHALOSPORINS. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Health Promotion and Maintenance"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026