A nurse is preparing to administer erythromycin PO to a client who has an infection. The nurse checks the client's medical record and notes that the client has a severe allergy to penicillin. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Rationale: The correct action is to administer the medication to the client (Choice C) because erythromycin is not related to penicillin and is safe to use in clients with a penicillin allergy. Requesting a different medication (Choice A) may not be necessary as erythromycin is a suitable alternative. Premedicating with diphenhydramine (Choice B) is not indicated for a penicillin allergy. Requesting a different route of administration (Choice D) is unnecessary since the oral route is appropriate for erythromycin.