Which adverse effect unique to vancomycin is caused by histamine release?
Discoloration of body fluids
Ototoxicity
Red-man syndrome
Nephrotoxicity
The Correct Answer is C
A. Discoloration of body fluids:
Vancomycin can cause discoloration of body fluids, particularly urine, resulting in a brownish discoloration. However, this is not caused by histamine release.
B. Ototoxicity:
Ototoxicity refers to damage to the inner ear structures leading to hearing loss or balance problems. While vancomycin can cause ototoxicity, it is not specifically associated with histamine release.
C. Red-man syndrome
Red-man syndrome, also known as red-neck syndrome or red-person syndrome, is a hypersensitivity reaction characterized by flushing of the skin, particularly the upper body and face, resembling a "red man." This reaction is typically associated with the rapid infusion of vancomycin and is caused by the release of histamine from mast cells and basophils. It is not an allergic reaction but rather a non-immunologic response to vancomycin.
D. Nephrotoxicity:
Nephrotoxicity refers to kidney damage caused by certain medications or toxins. While vancomycin can cause nephrotoxicity, it is not specifically associated with histamine release.

Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Bacteriostatics are narrow spectrum drugs, and bactericidal drugs are broad spectrum:
This statement is incorrect. The spectrum of activity (narrow vs. broad) of an antibiotic refers to the range of bacterial species that it can target, not whether it is bacteriostatic or bactericidal.
B. Bacteriostatic drugs inhibit bacterial growth, and bactericidal drugs actually kill bacteria:
This statement is correct. Bacteriostatic drugs work by inhibiting the growth and reproduction of bacteria without directly killing them, whereas bactericidal drugs directly kill bacteria.
C. Bacteriostatics work by inhibiting protein synthesis, and bactericidal drugs work by inhibiting nucleic acid synthesis:
This statement is incorrect. Both bacteriostatic and bactericidal drugs can target various bacterial cellular processes, including protein synthesis, nucleic acid synthesis, cell wall synthesis, and others. The mechanism of action is not a definitive factor in distinguishing between bacteriostatic and bactericidal drugs.
D. Bacteriostatic drugs actually kill bacteria, and bactericidal drugs inhibit bacterial growth:
This statement is incorrect. It contradicts the established definitions of bacteriostatic and bactericidal drugs. Bacteriostatic drugs inhibit bacterial growth without killing the bacteria, while bactericidal drugs directly kill bacteria.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. The patient stops taking the drug when he or she begins to feel better:
This choice refers to the common habit where patients discontinue their prescribed medication once they start to feel improvement in their symptoms, even if they haven't completed the full course of treatment. This premature cessation of medication can leave some microbes alive and potentially resistant to the antibiotic, allowing them to regrow and cause a recurrence of the infection.
B. The patient switches to multiple drug therapy from single drug therapy:
This choice describes a scenario where a patient switches from a single drug therapy to multiple drug therapy. While this may be a valid treatment approach in some cases, it is not directly related to the re-population and re-establishment of microbes causing an infection.
C. The patient uses OTC drugs prophylactically:
This choice involves patients using over-the-counter (OTC) drugs preventively without consulting a healthcare professional. While OTC drugs may have their own set of issues, such as contributing to antibiotic resistance, this behavior isn't specifically linked to the re-population and re-establishment of microbes causing an infection.
D. The patient increases the drug dosage when he or she perceives that the therapeutic effect of the drug is slowing down:
This choice describes a scenario where a patient independently increases the dosage of their medication without consulting a healthcare provider. While inappropriate dosage adjustments can lead to adverse effects, it doesn't directly address the re-population and re-establishment of microbes causing an infection.
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