Author Question: The nurse is preparing to begin a medication regimen for a patient who will receive intravenous ... (Read 76 times)

NClaborn · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The nurse is preparing to begin a medication regimen for a patient who will receive intravenous ampicillin and gentamicin. Which is an important nursing action?

a. Administer each antibiotic to infuse over 15 to 20 minutes.
b. Order serum peak and trough levels of ampicillin.
c. Prepare the schedule so that the drugs are given at the same time.
d. Set up separate tubing sets for each drug labeled with the drug name and date.

Question 2

The nurse is reviewing a patient's chart prior to administering gentamycin (Garamycin) and notes that the last serum peak drug level was 9 mcg/mL and the last trough level was 2 mcg/mL. What action will the nurse take?

a. Administer the next dose as ordered.
b. Obtain repeat peak and trough levels before giving the next dose.
c. Report possible drug toxicity to the patient's provider.
d. Report a decreased drug therapeutic level to the patient's provider.

Briannahope · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Intravenous aminoglycosides can be given with penicillins and cephalosporins but should not be mixed in the same container. The IV line should be flushed between antibiotics, or separate tubing sets may be set up. Gentamicin must be infused over 30 to 60 minutes. It is not necessary to measure ampicillin peak and trough levels. Giving the drugs at the same time increases the risk of mixing them together.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Gentamycin peak values should be 5 to 8 mcg/mL, and trough levels should be 0.5 to 2 mcg/mL. Peak levels give information about whether or not a drug is at toxic levels, while trough levels indicate whether a therapeutic level is maintained. This drug is at a toxic level, and the next dose should not be given.