A provider orders intravenous moxifloxacin Avelox for a patient ...

[Alygatorr01285]

A provider orders intravenous moxifloxacin Avelox for a patient who has sinusitis. Before administering the drug, the nurse will review this patient's chart for:
 
  a. a history of asthma.
  b. concurrent use of digoxin.
  c. concurrent use of warfarin.
  d. recent serum electrolyte levels.

Question 2

A patient who is receiving intravenous ciprofloxacin for pneumonia develops diarrhea. A stool culture is positive for Clostridium difficile. The nurse will expect the provider to:
 
  a. add metronidazole Flagyl.
  b. increase the dose of ciprofloxacin.
  c. restrict dairy products.
  d. switch to gemifloxacin.

[zhanghao]

Answer to Question 1

D
Moxifloxacin prolongs the QT interval and poses a risk of serious dysrhythmias. Patients with hypokalemia have an increased risk, so serum electrolyte levels should be monitored. Having a history of asthma is not significant. Moxifloxacin does not alter digoxin or warfarin levels.

Answer to Question 2

A
C. difficile is resistant to fluoroquinolones; metronidazole is the drug of choice to treat this infec-tion. Metronidazole is lethal only to anaerobic organisms, so the ciprofloxacin should be contin-ued to treat the pneumonia. Increasing the dose of ciprofloxacin is not indicated, because C. dif-ficile is resistant to ciprofloxacin. Gemifloxacin is approved for use in respiratory infections.