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 ["A","B","D"]

Explanation

A. Prayer:

Prayer is a spiritual practice that involves communicating with a higher power or deity. It has been used for centuries across various cultures and religions as a means of seeking guidance, comfort, and healing. While the direct physical effects of prayer on the body may not be well understood, many people find that prayer can provide emotional support, reduce stress, and promote a sense of well-being. Additionally, some research suggests that prayer may have positive effects on mental health and overall quality of life.

B. Meditation:

Meditation is a practice that involves focusing the mind and cultivating awareness, often through techniques such as mindfulness, breathing exercises, or guided imagery. It has been practiced for centuries in Eastern traditions such as Buddhism and Hinduism, as well as in other cultures around the world. Meditation is known for its ability to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and improve mental clarity. It has also been associated with numerous physical health benefits, including lower blood pressure, improved immune function, and better sleep.

C. Ointments with a steroid base:

Ointments with a steroid base are not typically considered CAM therapies. Instead, they are a form of conventional medical treatment commonly used to reduce inflammation and treat various skin conditions. These ointments contain corticosteroids, which are synthetic drugs that mimic the effects of hormones produced by the adrenal glands. They work by suppressing the body's immune response and reducing inflammation in the affected area. While steroid-based ointments can be effective for treating certain skin conditions, they are not part of traditional CAM practices.

D. Massage:

Massage therapy involves manipulating the body's soft tissues, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments, to promote relaxation, relieve muscle tension, and improve circulation. It has been practiced for centuries in cultures around the world and is commonly used to alleviate stress, reduce pain, and enhance overall well-being. Massage therapy encompasses various techniques, such as Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, and aromatherapy massage, each with its own benefits and applications. Research has shown that massage therapy can have numerous physical and mental health benefits, including reduced anxiety, improved mood, and enhanced immune function.

A. The patient stops taking the drug when he or she begins to feel better B. The patient switches to multiple drug therapy from single drug therapy C. The patient uses OTC drugs prophylactically D. The patient increases the drug dosage when he or she perceives that the therapeutic effect of the drug is slowing down

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.

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

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)

Correct Answer is ["A","B","D"]

Explanation

Which of the following common habit of patients may cause microbes to re-populate and re-establish an infection?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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?

The nurse explains that is regard to regulation by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, dietary supplements:

The nurse is instructing a client who has been prescribed tetracycline (Sumycin). What should the nurse advise this client to avoid while taking this medication?

A patient asks the nurse to define hypersensitivity reaction. The nurse begins by telling the patient that a hypersensitivity reaction is also called:

A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs). The nurse should identify that the client can use which of the following herbal supplements to help prevent UTIs?

A nurse instructs the patient that if ciprofloxacin (Cipro) is taken with antacids, absorption is

The term "mutations" refers to:

When beginning herbal products, the nurse understands that the best way to identify allergic or other adverse reactions is to have the client: