Question

If a patient is given an antimicrobial for their infection caused by a gram-negative bacterium, as a care provider with knowledge of what an endotoxin is, what should you be aware of and monitoring during their treatment?

a. Blood pressure levels
b. Liver function
c. White blood cell count
d. Endotoxin release

Answer 1

When treating a patient with an antimicrobial for a gram-negative bacterial infection, it's important to be aware of and monitor the release of endotoxins, which can trigger a severe inflammatory response. Monitoring the patient's blood pressure levels is especially important to manage any potential complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a patient is given an antimicrobial for an infection caused by a gram-negative bacterium, as a care provider, you should be aware of and monitor the release of endotoxins during their treatment. Endotoxins are toxic substances released by gram-negative bacteria, and they can trigger a severe inflammatory response in the body. Monitoring the release of endotoxins is important because it can lead to a drop in blood pressure levels, which can be a serious complication that needs to be managed.