If Gladys’ symptoms are unchanged after 2 days on ciprofloxacin, what action should the nurse take?

When a patient's symptoms remain unchanged after two days of a prescribed antibiotic like ciprofloxacin, it is crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment. Ciprofloxacin is generally effective against specific bacterial infections; however, if there is no improvement, it may indicate that either the antibiotic is not effective against the organism causing the infection or that the diagnosis may have been incorrect.

In such cases, notifying the healthcare provider to discuss the need for a change in the antibiotic is essential. The provider may need to consider obtaining a culture and sensitivity test if one has not been performed already or to consider alternative antibiotics that are more effective against the identified pathogen. Timely intervention is critical to prevent the worsening of the patient's condition and to ensure that proper therapeutic measures are taken.

Continuing with the current treatment plan without reassessment could lead to unnecessary delays in effective therapy. While increasing fluid intake may support kidney function and urinary tract health, it does not directly address the lack of symptom improvement. Performing a follow-up urinalysis could also be part of the overall assessment strategy, but notifying the healthcare provider to seek a change in treatment is the priority action that will lead to more immediate and appropriate clinical management.