The nurse is caring for a patient receiving vancomycin (Vancocin) for treatment of an infection caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Which assessment finding would indicate a potentially serious adverse reaction to this drug?
Redness and itching at the infusion site
Flushing, rash, and pruritus on the face and upper torso
Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps
Tinnitus, vertigo, and hearing loss.
Report any signs of oral thrush to the provider.
The Correct Answer is D
These are signs of ototoxicity, a potentially serious adverse reaction to vancomycin (Vancocin) and other aminoglycosides. Ototoxicity can damage the inner ear and cause permanent hearing loss or balance problems.
Choice A is wrong because redness and itching at the infusion site are not specific to vancomycin (Vancocin) and could indicate a local irritation or an allergic reaction to any drug.
Choice B is wrong because flushing, rash, and pruritus on the face and upper torso are symptoms of red man syndrome, a common but not serious side effect of vancomycin (Vancocin) that occurs due to rapid infusion and histamine release. Red man syndrome can be prevented by infusing the drug over at least 1 hour.
Choice C is wrong because nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps are not specific to vancomycin (Vancocin) and could be caused by many factors, such as infection, food poisoning, or other drugs.
Normal ranges for vancomycin (Vancocin) trough levels are 10 to 20 mcg/mL for most infections and 15 to 20 mcg/mL for serious infections such as osteomyelitis, endocarditis, or meningitis. Levels above 20 mcg/mL increase the risk of ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity.
Therefore, the nurse should monitor the patient’s trough levels regularly and report any abnormal findings to the prescriber.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C"]
Explanation
Oxacillin, erythromycin and clindamycin are all antibiotics that are sensitive to Staphylococcus aureus according to the culture and sensitivity report.
This means that they can inhibit or kill the bacteria that are causing the wound infection.These antibiotics belong to different classes of drugs that have different mechanisms of action and spectrum of activity.
Choice D and E are wrong because vancomycin and linezolid are antibiotics that are usually reserved for more resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or
Correct Answer is E
Explanation
Gentamicin is an example of a concentration-dependent antimicrobial, which means that it achieves increasing bacterial kill with increasing levels of drug.The peak concentration and the area under the concentration curve (AUC) determine the efficacy of these antibiotics.Other examples of concentration-dependent antimicrobials include fluoroquinolones, daptomycin, aminoglycosides, and amphotericin
Choice A is wrong because ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone, which is also a concentration-dependent antimicrobial.
Choice B is wrong because imipenem is a carbapenem, which is a type of beta-lactam antibiotic.Beta-lactams are time-dependent antimicrobials, which means that their bactericidal activity depends on the duration of the effective concentration.
Choice C is wrong because penicillin V is another type of beta-lactam antibiotic, which is also a time-dependent antimicrobial.
Choice D is wrong because metronidazole is a bactericidal agent that has both time- and concentration-dependent properties.However, it is not classified as a concentration-dependent antimicrobial according to the AMEG categorization of antibiotics in the European Union.
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