A nurse is preparing to administer vancomycin IV to an adult client.
The client asks the nurse if the medication can be given 2 hr earlier.
Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
A.
“I can adjust the time and schedule for when it’s convenient for you.”.
B.
“I can start the medication 30 minutes earlier.”.
C.
“I have up to 2 hours after the usual schedule time to give you this medication.”.
D.
“I can infuse the medication at a faster rate.”.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is C. “I have up to 2 hours after the usual schedule time to give you this medication.”
Explanation:
When administering antibiotics like vancomycin intravenously (IV), the timing of the medication is crucial for maintaining effective therapeutic levels. Vancomycin is often scheduled at regular intervals to ensure that a consistent concentration of the drug is maintained in the bloodstream to effectively combat the infection.
Vancomycin IV should generally be administered on a precise schedule, but hospitals often allow a window of time around the scheduled administration. Typically, this window is up to 1 hour before or up to 2 hours after the scheduled time. This flexibility helps accommodate delays or patient-specific requests without compromising the effectiveness of the drug.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect:
- A. “I can adjust the time and schedule for when it’s convenient for you.”
This option is incorrect because it implies that the nurse can change the schedule based on convenience, which is not safe for timed antibiotics like vancomycin. Adjusting the schedule based solely on patient preference may result in subtherapeutic levels or drug resistance. - B. “I can start the medication 30 minutes earlier.”
While there may be some flexibility, starting the medication earlier is not usually advisable unless specifically ordered by the healthcare provider. The timing is designed to maintain therapeutic drug levels, so altering the time unnecessarily can affect treatment. - D. “I can infuse the medication at a faster rate.”
This option is incorrect and potentially dangerous. Vancomycin should never be infused too quickly due to the risk of “Red Man Syndrome,” an infusion reaction characterized by flushing, rash, and hypotension. The infusion time is typically 60 to 90 minutes, and speeding up the rate increases the risk of this adverse reaction.
In summary, the nurse’s statement in option C follows safe practice guidelines by adhering to the hospital’s allowed time frame for administering the drug, maintaining efficacy while also allowing some flexibility in timing.