A nurse administers piperacillin/tazobactam intravenously to a patient with aspiration pneumonia. The patient has never taken a penicillin antibiotic. The nurse should assess for what indication of a serious adverse effect?

Explanation

•Administration of a penicillin can cause a severe hypersensitivity reaction and result in a medical emergency. 

•Urticaria (Hives) is a common characteristic of a type 1 hypersensitivity reaction, along with nausea, vomiting, pruritus, tachycardia, dyspnea, and diaphoresis.

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