An elderly patient is prescribed ciprofloxacin for the treatment of a urinary tract infection (UTI). The nurse should inform the patient of which potential most serious side effect?

Explanation

• Ciprofloxacin and other fluoroquinolone antibiotics have a black box warning for the increased risk of tendon rupture.

• Patients usually experience pain and edema around tendons that may eventually lead to rupture. Patients should be instructed to rest if they experience tendon pain or edema while taking antibiotics in this class.

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