A patient is ordered to receive neomycin as part of the treatment plan for hepatic coma. Which of the following would be most important for the nurse to assess before administering this drug? Select all that apply.
- A. Ability to swallow
- B. Level of consciousness
- C. Baseline vital signs
- D. Pulmonary function
Correct Answer: A, B
Rationale: During the early stages of hepatic coma, various changes in the level of consciousness may be seen. At times, the patient may appear lethargic and respond poorly to commands. Because of these changes in the level of consciousness, the patient may have difficulty swallowing, and a danger of aspiration is present. If the patient appears to have difficulty taking an oral drug, the nurse should withhold the drug and contact the primary health care provider. Baseline vital signs are important but are not the priority when the patient has hepatic coma. The drug does not affect the patient's respiratory function. There is no infection; therefore, there is no need for culture and sensitivity testing.
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A nursing instructor is preparing a class on various antibacterial drugs interfering with protein synthesis, with the discussion focusing on quinupristin/dalfopristin. Which of the following medications would the instructor include as interacting with quinupristin/dalfopristin, thus increasing the risk for toxicity? Select all that apply.
- A. Lorazepam (Ativan)
- B. Quinapril (Accupril)
- C. Ritonavir (Norvir)
- D. Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
Correct Answer: A, C, D
Rationale: When quinupristin/dalfopristin is prescribed, it may interact with the following drugs, increasing serum levels and thus the risk for toxicity: antiretrovirals, antineoplastic and immunosuppressant agents, calcium channel blockers, benzodiazepines, and cisapride.
After teaching a group of nursing students about indications for linezolid (Zyvox), the instructor determines a need for additional teaching when the students identify which of the following as an indication?
- A. Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)
- B. Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREF)
- C. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- D. Acute otitis media
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Linezolid is used in the treatment of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREF), health care? and community-acquired pneumonias, and skin and skin structure infections, including those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). It is not used to treat otitis media.
A group of nursing students are reviewing information about clindamycin (Cleocin). The students demonstrate understanding of this drug when they identify that it should be used with caution in clients with which of the following? Select all that apply.
- A. Seizure disorder
- B. GI disorders
- C. Myasthenia gravis
- D. Diabetes
Correct Answer: B, C, E
Rationale: Clindamycin, a lincosamide, should be used cautiously in clients with a history of GI disorders, renal disease, liver impairment, or myasthenia gravis.
A patient is receiving telithromycin. Based on the nurse's understanding of potential adverse reactions, the nurse would identify which nursing diagnosis as a priority?
- A. Ineffective Renal Tissue Perfusion
- B. Risk for Injury
- C. Diarrhea
- D. Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Telithromycin can cause visual disturbances such as difficulty focusing and accommodating to light. Therefore, the priority nursing diagnosis would be Risk for Injury related to these visual disturbances. Aminoglycosides can cause nephrotoxicity, leading to a nursing diagnosis of Ineffective Renal Perfusion. Although diarrhea and skin rashes can occur, these would not be a priority at this time.
A client is receiving quinupristin/dalfopristin via a peripheral intravenous infusion. After the drug is administered, the nurse would flush the intravenous line with which of the following?
- A. Normal saline
- B. 0.45% sodium chloride
- C. Dextrose 5% and water
- D. Heparin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Quinupristin/dalfopristin is irritating to the vein. After peripheral infusion, the vein should be flushed with 5% dextrose in water (D5W), because the drug is incompatible with saline or heparin flush solutions.
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