Question

A 17-year-old Aboriginal boy with known rheumatic heart disease finds the painful intramuscular benzathine benzylpenicillin injections very distressing and has started missing doses. According to RHD Australia guidance and best practice in Indigenous health, which strategy is most appropriate to improve adherence?

Accepted Answer

Explore options such as local anaesthetic use, warming the syringe, culturally safe education and flexible clinic delivery to reduce pain and barriers

Answer

Switch to oral phenoxymethylpenicillin without further discussion

Answer

Cease prophylaxis as he is nearly adult

Answer

Threaten legal action if he misses further injections

Answer

Reduce the dose of benzathine benzylpenicillin to minimise pain

Practice question