A patient who has been receiving intermittent chemotherapy ...

[Lisaclaire]

A patient who has been receiving intermittent chemotherapy through a peripheral IV site is ordered to receive a high dose of vancomycin through the same vein. Why does this concern the nurse?
 
  a. Chemotherapy is irritating to the vascular system and may cause the vein to infiltrate.
  b. Two medications should never be placed into the same IV site.
  c. Once chemotherapy is in a patient's system, any additional medicine given will cause a synergistic effect.
  d. Chemotherapy treatments require a special pump designed solely for chemotherapy.

Question 2

The patient is to receive phenytoin (Dilantin) at 0900. The nurse knows that the ideal time to draw a trough level is
 
  a. 0800.
  b. 0830.
  c. 0900.
  d. 0930.

[mammy1697]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Chemotherapy medications and vancomycin are irritating to the veins and introduce increased risk for infiltration. Infiltration of a chemotherapy medication can lead to extravasation, a serious IV complication. Medications can be placed into the same IV site if they are compatible. Chemotherapy does not cause a synergistic effect with antibiotics. Chemotherapy medications can be infused through the same device as maintenance IV fluids or even antibiotics.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Trough levels are generally drawn 30 minutes before the drug is administered. If the medication is administered at 0900, the trough should be drawn at 0830.

[Lisaclaire]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[T4T]

Excellent