Question

The nurse is administering a vancomycin (Vancocin) infusion. Which measure is appropriate for the nurse to implement in order to reduce complications that may occur with this drug's administration?

a. Monitoring blood pressure for hypertension during the infusion
b. Discontinuing the drug immediately if red man syndrome occurs
c. Restricting fluids during vancomycin therapy
d. Infusing the drug over at least 1 hour

Answer 1

The nurse should infuse vancomycin over at least 1 hour to reduce the risk of red man syndrome and other complications. Monitoring for side effects and maintaining proper hydration are also critical.

Step-by-step explanation:

The appropriate measure for a nurse to implement to reduce complications during the administration of vancomycin (Vancocin) is infusing the drug over at least 1 hour. This helps to decrease the risk of a common side effect known as "red man syndrome," which is a histamine reaction similar to an allergic response that can occur with too rapid infusion of the antibiotic. Also, properly pacing the infusion allows better tolerance of the drug and helps maintain effective blood concentrations. During vancomycin infusion, it is also important to monitor the patient for other potential side effects, including nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity, and ensure proper hydration unless contraindicated.