What should the nurse anticipate if a breastfeeding mother is prescribed antihelmintic medication for pinworms?

If a breastfeeding mother is prescribed antihelmintic medication for pinworms, the most appropriate action would involve addressing the safety of the medication for both the mother and the infant. Many antihelmintic medications are considered to be safe for breastfeeding mothers, allowing them to continue breastfeeding without interruption. This is crucial as it helps maintain the nutritional and emotional bonding benefits of breastfeeding during treatment.

In cases where the medication does pose potential risks to the infant—either due to transfer of the drug through breast milk or the effects it could have on the infant's health—guidance typically includes either temporarily discontinuing breastfeeding or possibly using an alternative treatment, depending on the specific medication prescribed. Therefore, if the treatment requires stopping breastfeeding, that recommendation would be understandably based on the need to protect the infant from potential harmful effects of the medication. It’s important for healthcare providers to carefully evaluate the safety profiles of medications when prescribing them to breastfeeding patients.

In summary, the correct response to this scenario involves assessing the necessity of discontinuing breastfeeding, highlighting the importance of medication safety for both the mother and the infant.