The hospital nurse is preparing to administer a dose of penicillin antibiotic when the patient says, "The last time I took penicillin I got a very itchy rash and started wheezing." Which action should the nurse take?

Assure the patient that the reaction was probably a side effect and not an allergy.

Call the pharmacist.

Withhold the medication and contact the prescriber.

Administer the antibiotic and observe carefully for a reaction.