Author Question: A nurse is required to administer a parenteral form of penicillin to a patient. Which of the ... (Read 54 times)

schs14 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A nurse is required to administer a parenteral form of penicillin to a patient. Which of the following interventions would be most appropriate for the nurse to do when preparing penicillin in parenteral form?

A) Extract penicillin from vial and then reconstitute.
B) Save excess antibiotic after reconstitution for later use.
C) Use any available diluent for reconstitution.
D) Shake the vial well to distribute the drug evenly.

Question 2

A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving penicillin. The nurse would assess for which of the following as a common adverse reaction?

A) Inflammation of the tongue and mouth
B) Impaired oral mucous membranes
C) Severe hypotension
D) Sudden loss of consciousness

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

Answer to Question 1

Ans: D
Feedback:
When preparing a parenteral form of penicillin, the nurse should shake the vial thoroughly before withdrawing the drug to ensure its even distribution in the solution. Penicillins in powder or crystalline form must be reconstituted before being withdrawn from the vial. Excess antibiotic after reconstitution should never be saved, as the drug loses its potency when stored. Reconstitution should be done only with the diluent prescribed on the manufacturer's label.

Answer to Question 2

Ans: A
Feedback:
Some of the common adverse effects of penicillin are glossitis (inflammation of the tongue), stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth), and gastritis (inflammation of the stomach). Unless the adverse effects are severe, the drug may be continued as prescribed and the nurse would intervene to help the patient manage the common adverse reactions. Impaired oral mucous membranes would suggest a possible fungal superinfection in the oral cavity, whereas severe hypotension and sudden loss of consciousness are signs of anaphylactic shock; these are not common adverse effects of penicillin and require immediate medical attention.