What is the best method of monitoring therapeutic blood levels of vancomycin during therapy?

By assessing the temperature every 4 hours

By repeating a culture and sensitivity test on day 3

By obtaining drug peak and trough levels

By assessing for breathlessness

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. By assessing the temperature every 4 hours:

Monitoring temperature every 4 hours is a common practice in hospitalized patients to detect fever, which could indicate an infection or an inflammatory response. However, this method does not directly assess the therapeutic blood levels of vancomycin. Fever alone does not provide specific information about the effectiveness or concentration of the antibiotic in the bloodstream.

B. By repeating a culture and sensitivity test on day 3:

Culture and sensitivity tests involve taking a sample from the patient (such as blood, urine, or sputum) and growing the microorganisms in a laboratory to identify the causative organism and determine its susceptibility to antibiotics. While this test is essential for identifying the appropriate antibiotic therapy initially, repeating it on day 3 does not directly monitor therapeutic blood levels of vancomycin. It also doesn't provide real-time information about the concentration of vancomycin in the bloodstream.

C. By obtaining drug peak and trough levels:

This choice involves measuring the highest (peak) and lowest (trough) concentrations of vancomycin in the bloodstream. Peak levels are typically measured about 1 hour after the completion of a vancomycin infusion, while trough levels are measured just before the next dose is administered. These measurements allow healthcare providers to ensure that the drug concentration remains within the therapeutic range to effectively treat the infection while minimizing the risk of toxicity.

D. By assessing for breathlessness:

Assessing for breathlessness is important for monitoring respiratory status, particularly in patients receiving vancomycin, as rare side effects like red-man syndrome or anaphylaxis can cause respiratory distress. However, this method does not directly monitor therapeutic blood levels of vancomycin.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Doxycycline:

Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic that is effective against anthrax. It is commonly used for post-exposure prophylaxis and treatment of anthrax infections.

B. Penicillin:

Penicillin is not typically the first-line antibiotic for treating anthrax. While some strains of Bacillus anthracis may be susceptible to penicillin, other antibiotics like doxycycline or ciprofloxacin are preferred due to their broader spectrum of activity and better penetration into tissues.

C. Oxytetracycline (Terramycin):

Oxytetracycline is another tetracycline antibiotic similar to doxycycline. Like doxycycline, oxytetracycline is effective against anthrax and can be used for post-exposure prophylaxis and treatment of anthrax infections.

D. Ciprofloxacin:

Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that is effective against anthrax. It is commonly used as an alternative to doxycycline for post-exposure prophylaxis and treatment of anthrax infections, particularly for individuals who cannot tolerate tetracyclines.

A. Keep the serum drug level within the therapeutic margin B. increase the therapeutic effect of the drug by gradually decreasing the drug dose C. Provide maximum physical comfort to the patient D. Treat the main disorder with no psychological distress to the patient

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.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

What is the best method of monitoring therapeutic blood levels of vancomycin during therapy?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client enters the emergency department with suspected exposure to anthrax. The physician confirms this suspicion and orders the client an antibiotic. Which medication would the nurse expect the physician to order?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Which of the following is the goal of monitoring peak and trough levels during antibacterial therapy?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Before starting antimicrobial therapy, the nurse assesses a patient for possible drug allergy. Which of the following complaints should alert the nurse to a drug allergy?

When reviewing Ms. Robertson's culture and sensitivity test results, the nurse learns that the bacteria causing Ms. Robertson's infection are sensitive to penicillin. The nurse interprets this result to mean:

The nurse responds to the client's questions about CAM therapies and explains that some have been popular for centuries in treating conditions of the body and mind Including which of the following? (Select All that Apply)

The nurse understands that CAM therapies have common characteristics, such as which of the following? (Select All that Apply)

A nurse is caring for a client who just received a dose of IV ampicillin. Which of the following client reactions requires priority intervention by the nurse?

The term "virulence" refers to:

The patient is to be started on warfarin (Coumadin) therapy. It is important for the nurse to check for the use of which herbs? (Select All that Apply)

Which class of antibiotic is associated with cartilage toxicity and rupture of the Achilles tendon?