Question

The nurse checks the patient's laboratory work prior to administering a dose of vancomycin (Vancocin) and finds that the trough vancomycin level is 24 mcg/mL. What will the nurse do next?

a. Administer the vancomycin as ordered.
b. Hold the drug, and administer 4 hours later.
c. Hold the drug, and notify the prescriber.
d. Repeat the test to verify results.

Answer 1

The nurse will hold the drug and notify the prescriber.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse will hold the drug and notify the prescriber.

A trough level is the lowest concentration of a drug in the patient's bloodstream, typically measured immediately before the next dose is scheduled to be administered. Trough levels are important for drugs that have a narrow therapeutic index, meaning that maintaining a certain concentration range is crucial for their effectiveness and safety.

For vancomycin, the therapeutic trough level is usually between 10-20 mcg/mL. A trough level of 24 mcg/mL is higher than the target range, which indicates that the patient may be at risk for toxic side effects. Holding the drug and notifying the prescriber allows for further evaluation and adjustment of the dosage or dosing interval.