A nurse is reinforcing teaching about vancomycin with a client who has an infection. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?
"Expect your urine to turn pink or red while taking this medication."
"Discontinue the medication once your symptoms subside.
"Notify your provider if you experience any changes in your hearing."
"Decrease your fluid intake to 1000ml per day."
The Correct Answer is C
A. "Expect your urine to turn pink or red while taking this medication."
This statement is incorrect. Vancomycin does not typically cause urine discoloration. However, red man syndrome, characterized by flushing of the skin, particularly on the face and upper body, can occur with rapid infusion of vancomycin. This is not related to urine color change.
B. "Discontinue the medication once your symptoms subside."
This statement is incorrect. It's crucial for the client to complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed, even if symptoms improve before completing the treatment course. Discontinuing the medication prematurely can lead to the development of antibiotic resistance and recurrence of the infection.
C. "Notify your provider if you experience any changes in your hearing."
This statement is correct. Vancomycin can potentially cause ototoxicity, which may manifest as changes in hearing, including ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or hearing loss. Clients should be instructed to report any such symptoms to their healthcare provider promptly.
D. "Decrease your fluid intake to 1000ml per day."
This statement is incorrect. Adequate hydration is essential, especially when taking medications like vancomycin, to help prevent kidney damage and promote drug elimination. Restricting fluid intake is not advisable unless specifically instructed by the healthcare provider for a particular medical reason.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Keep the serum drug level within the therapeutic margin:
This is the correct goal of monitoring peak and trough levels during antibacterial therapy. The therapeutic margin refers to the range of drug concentrations in the bloodstream that achieves optimal therapeutic effects while avoiding toxicity. By monitoring peak and trough levels, healthcare providers can adjust the dosing regimen to maintain drug levels within this therapeutic margin.
B. Increase the therapeutic effect of the drug by gradually decreasing the drug dose:
This statement is incorrect. Monitoring peak and trough levels is not about increasing the therapeutic effect of the drug by gradually decreasing the drug dose. Instead, it's about ensuring that the drug levels are maintained within the appropriate therapeutic range to achieve optimal efficacy without causing adverse effects.
C. Provide maximum physical comfort to the patient:
Monitoring peak and trough levels is not primarily aimed at providing physical comfort to the patient. While optimizing drug therapy can contribute to improved clinical outcomes and patient well-being, the goal of monitoring these levels is specifically related to achieving therapeutic drug concentrations.
D. Treat the main disorder with no psychological distress to the patient:
This statement is unrelated to the goal of monitoring peak and trough levels during antibacterial therapy. While psychological distress may be a consideration in patient care, the primary goal of monitoring drug levels is to ensure therapeutic efficacy and safety.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. An infection that is difficult to treat:
This choice describes a challenging infection but does not specifically capture the concept of a superinfection. While superinfections can indeed be difficult to treat, they are defined more specifically as secondary infections that occur due to disruption of the normal microbial flora during the treatment of an initial infection.
B. An infection caused by a weakened immune system:
This choice describes an infection that occurs due to a compromised or weakened immune system, which can indeed increase the risk of developing infections, including superinfections. However, it does not fully encompass the definition of a superinfection, which specifically involves the overgrowth of opportunistic pathogens after the disruption of normal microbial flora by antimicrobial treatment.
C. A secondary infection that occurs when microorganisms normally present in the body are killed by the drug:
This choice accurately describes what a superinfection is. It highlights the key concept that a superinfection is a secondary infection that arises when antimicrobial treatment disrupts or kills the normal microbial flora of the body, allowing opportunistic pathogens to overgrow and cause infection.
D. A drug-resistant infection:
This choice describes an infection caused by microorganisms that are resistant to the effects of antimicrobial drugs. While drug resistance is a significant concern in healthcare, it does not specifically define a superinfection. Superinfections can involve drug-resistant microorganisms, but they are not solely characterized by drug resistance; rather, they are secondary infections resulting from the disruption of normal microbial flora during antimicrobial treatment.
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