Question

A nurse is preparing to administer IV vancomycin to a client who has methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

A. Change the IV site with each new dose. Rationale: The nurse should monitor the IV site closely for manifestations of thrombophlebitis and change the infusion site frequently; however, the infusion site does not need to be changed with each dose.
B. Inform the client to expect urine to become pink in color. Rationale: This is not an appropriate action. The client should not expect his urine to become pink in color.
C. Administer the medication with an NSAID to minimize infusion discomfort. Rationale: Nephrotoxic medications, including NSAIDs, can increase the risk of kidney damage. The nurse should not give these medications concurrently.
D. Infuse the medication over at least 60 min. Rationale: Rapid infusion of vancomycin can cause a phenomenon known as Red Man syndrome. The nurse can minimize the risk of this from occurring by slowly infusing the medication over a period of 60 min or longer.

Answer 1

Infusing vancomycin over at least 60 minutes is essential when treating MRSA to avoid Red Man syndrome. Changing the IV site with each dose is unnecessary unless complications arise, and NSAIDs should be avoided due to increased risk of kidney damage.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse preparing to administer IV vancomycin to a client with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) should plan to take certain precautions. Among those, infusing the medication over at least 60 minutes is critical. This precaution is due to the risk of Red Man syndrome, a reaction that can occur with rapid infusion of vancomycin. Slow administration helps minimize this risk, providing a safer treatment experience for the patient. The nurse does not need to change the IV site with each new dose unless there are indications of thrombophlebitis or other complications. Urine discoloration is not expected with vancomycin, and co-administration with NSAIDs is not recommended due to their nephrotoxic potential which can increase the risk of kidney damage.