What is the best advice a nurse can give to a patient who reports nausea when taking ketoconazole?

Taking ketoconazole with food is the best advice for a patient reporting nausea. This is because food can enhance the absorption of the medication, reducing the likelihood of gastrointestinal side effects like nausea. Ketoconazole is better absorbed in an acidic environment, and food can contribute to this by stimulating the production of stomach acid. Additionally, having food in the stomach can help buffer the harshness of the medication on the stomach lining, further diminishing the sensation of nausea.

In contrast, other options would not effectively address the side effect of nausea. Discontinuing the medication immediately might leave the underlying condition untreated and should generally be approached with caution before consulting a healthcare provider. Taking the medication before meals may worsen nausea due to a lack of food to help buffer the effects. Switching to a different medication might be necessary if nausea persists despite taking it with food, but it’s typically not the first solution unless the medication cannot be tolerated at all.