What type of vitamins should a nurse anticipate prescribing for a client on long-term antibiotic therapy?

In the context of long-term antibiotic therapy, the appropriate vitamins to consider would be water-soluble forms of vitamins A and E. Long-term use of antibiotics can disrupt the balance of gut microbiota, potentially affecting the absorption of various nutrients, including fat-soluble vitamins, which are A, D, E, and K.

However, water-soluble vitamins, such as the B vitamins and vitamin C, are less likely to be affected by this disruption because they do not require fat for absorption. They are also excreted more easily through urine if taken in excess, which makes them generally safer in a therapeutic context. While vitamin A is technically fat-soluble, the context here suggests a focus on supplementation that is less likely to contribute to toxicity or absorption issues typical with fat-soluble forms during antibiotic treatment.

This approach helps ensure that the client maintains adequate nutritional intake and mitigates the side effects of antibiotics on overall health. Water-soluble vitamins can also assist in various metabolic processes that may be impacted by the changes in the gut microbiome due to long-term antibiotic use.