What additional drug allergy should the nurse assess before administering cefadroxil (Duricef)?

Cefadroxil is a cephalosporin antibiotic, and patients who are allergic to penicillin may also have cross-reactivity to cephalosporins, including cefadroxil. This is due to the structural similarities between the two classes of antibiotics. An allergy to penicillin could potentially result in an allergic reaction to cefadroxil, which is why it's crucial for the nurse to assess for a history of penicillin allergy prior to administration. Understanding this cross-reactivity helps safeguard the patient against possible adverse effects and ensures safe medication administration.

While assessing allergies to other antibiotic classes, such as aminoglycosides, erythromycins, and sulfonamides, is important, the primary concern with cefadroxil involves penicillin allergy specifically due to their shared beta-lactam structure, highlighting the need for vigilance in patients with known penicillin allergies.