Nokea
The nurse is administering a vancomycin infusion. Which measure is appropriate for the nurse to implement in order to reduce complications that may occur with this drug's administration?
- A. Monitoring blood pressure for hypertension during the infusion
- B. Discontinuing the drug immediately if red man syndrome occurs
- C. Restricting fluids during vancomycin therapy
- D. Infusing the drug over at least 1 hour
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Infuse the medication over at least 1 hour to reduce the occurrence of red man syndrome. Adequate hydration (at least 2 L of fluid in 24 hours) during vancomycin therapy is important for the prevention of nephrotoxicity. Hypotension may occur during the infusion, especially if it is given too rapidly.
You may also like to solve these questions
The nurse is administering intravenous vancomycin to a patient who has had gastrointestinal surgery. Which nursing measures are appropriate? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Monitoring serum creatinine levels
- B. Restricting fluids while the patient is on this medication
- C. Warning the patient that a flushed feeling or facial itching may occur
- D. Instructing the patient to report dizziness or a feeling of fullness in the ears
- E. Reporting a trough drug level of 11 mcg/mL and holding the drug
- F. Reporting a trough drug level of 24 mcg/mL and holding the drug
Correct Answer: A,C,D,F
Rationale: Constant monitoring for drug-related neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, and superinfection remains critical to patient safety. Monitor for nephrotoxicity by monitoring serum creatinine levels. Ototoxicity may be indicated if the patient experiences dizziness or a feeling of fullness in the ears, and these symptoms must be reported immediately. Vancomycin infusions may cause red man syndrome, which is characterized by flushing of the neck and face and a decrease in blood pressure. Optimal trough blood levels of vancomycin are 10 to 20 mcg/mL; therefore, the drug should not be administered when there is a trough level of 24 mcg/mL.
A patient with a Pseudomonas species urinary infection will be receiving amikacin 5 mg/kg once daily via intravenous infusion. The patient weighs 143 pounds, and the medication is available in an injection solution strength of 250 mg/mL. Identify how many milliliters of medication will be drawn up for this injection. (record answer using one decimal place)
Correct Answer: 1.3 Ml
Rationale: Calculate the patient's weight in kilograms: 143 pounds ?· 2.2 = 65 kg. Calculate mg/kg/dose: 5 mg/kg ?? 65 kg = 325 mg. Calculate volume: 325 mg ?· 250 mg/mL = 1.3 mL.
A patient has been diagnosed with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). The nurse expects to see orders for which drug?
- A. Dapsone, a miscellaneous antibiotic
- B. Ciprofloxacin, a quinolone
- C. Linezolid, an oxazolidinone
- D. Colistimethate sodium, a polypeptide antibiotic
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Colistimethate sodium (Coly-Mycin), commonly referred to as colistin, is now being used again, often as one of the only drugs available to treat CRE. The other options are incorrect.
A patient will be receiving nitrofurantoin treatment for a urinary tract infection. The nurse is reviewing the patient's history and will question the nitrofurantoin order if which disorder is present in the history? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Liver disease
- B. Coronary artery disease
- C. Hyperthyroidism
- D. Type 1 diabetes mellitus
- E. Chronic renal disease
Correct Answer: A,E
Rationale: Nitrofurantoin is contraindicated in cases of known drug allergy and also in cases of significant renal function impairment, because the drug concentrates in the urine. Because adverse effects include hepatotoxicity, which is rare but often fatal, the nurse should also question the order if liver disease is present. The other options are not contraindications.
When a patient is on aminoglycoside therapy, the nurse will monitor the patient for which indicators of potential toxicity?
- A. Fever
- B. White blood cell count of 8000 cells/mm^3
- C. Tinnitus and dizziness
- D. Decreased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dizziness, tinnitus, hearing loss, or a sense of fullness in the ears could indicate ototoxicity, a potentially serious toxicity in a patient. Nephrotoxicity is indicated by rising blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. Fever may be indicative of the patient's infection; a white blood cell count of 7000 cells/mm^3 is within the normal range of 5000 to 10,000 cells/mm^3.