Mrs. Oza, age 69, has hypertension and has one functioning kidney. She loves chocolates and enjoys an alcoholic beverage twice a week. Her hobby is gardening and she goes for long walks despite having arthritis. Which one of the following pieces of information is likely to have the greatest significance if she is prescribed vancomycin?
She only has one functioning kidney
She remains outdoors for long periods of time
She has hypertension
She enjoys an alcoholic beverage twice a week
The Correct Answer is A
A. She only has one functioning kidney:
This choice is the most significant consideration when prescribing vancomycin to Mrs. Oza. Vancomycin is primarily eliminated from the body through the kidneys. Individuals with reduced kidney function, such as Mrs. Oza with only one functioning kidney, have a higher risk of vancomycin-associated nephrotoxicity (kidney damage). Therefore, her renal status is crucial information for determining the appropriate dosage of vancomycin and monitoring for any signs of kidney impairment during treatment.
B. She remains outdoors for long periods of time:
While spending time outdoors for long periods may have implications for Mrs. Oza's overall health, it is not directly relevant to the prescription of vancomycin. This information may be important for considering sun exposure, hydration, and other factors related to her arthritis and general well-being, but it does not specifically impact the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of vancomycin.
C. She has hypertension:
Mrs. Oza's hypertension is a relevant medical condition to consider in her overall health management. However, hypertension alone does not directly affect the prescription of vancomycin. Hypertension may influence the choice of antihypertensive medications or other aspects of her medical care, but it does not have a direct impact on the renal clearance or potential nephrotoxicity of vancomycin.
D. She enjoys an alcoholic beverage twice a week:
While alcohol consumption can interact with certain medications and impact overall health, it is not the most significant consideration when prescribing vancomycin to Mrs. Oza. Moderate alcohol consumption is unlikely to directly affect the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of vancomycin. However, excessive alcohol intake may contribute to liver dysfunction, which could indirectly influence drug metabolism. Nonetheless, in Mrs. Oza's case, her reduced renal function is a more critical factor to consider when prescribing vancomycin.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A.Goldenseal:
Goldenseal is a plant commonly used in herbal medicine, but it is not a drug that specifically inhibits bacterial beta-lactamase. While goldenseal may have antimicrobial properties, it is not typically used as a beta-lactamase inhibitor in the treatment of bacterial infections.
B. Ceftriaxone (Rocephin):
Ceftriaxone is a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. While it is an effective antibiotic for treating a wide range of bacterial infections, it does not have beta-lactamase inhibitor properties. Instead, ceftriaxone is susceptible to degradation by beta-lactamase enzymes produced by certain bacteria.
C. Penicillin:
Penicillin is one of the earliest discovered and most widely used beta-lactam antibiotics. However, many bacteria have developed resistance to penicillin by producing beta-lactamase enzymes. Penicillin itself does not inhibit beta-lactamase; instead, it is often combined with beta-lactamase inhibitors to enhance its effectiveness against beta-lactamase-producing bacteria.
D. Zosyn (piperacillin/tazobactam):
Zosyn is a combination antibiotic containing piperacillin, a broad-spectrum penicillin antibiotic, and tazobactam, a beta-lactamase inhibitor. Tazobactam inhibits the action of beta-lactamase enzymes produced by bacteria, allowing piperacillin to exert its antibacterial effects without being degraded by beta-lactamase. Therefore, Zosyn is the correct answer as it contains a drug that inhibits bacterial beta-lactamase.
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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