Question

In order to reduce the risk of hypotension and "red man syndrome" infusions of Vancocin (vancomycin) should be administered:

within 15 minutes
only after giving Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
over one hour
with Zantac (ranitidine) or other histamine

Answer 1

To reduce the risk of hypotension and "red man syndrome," Vancocin (vancomycin) infusions should be administered slowly, over at least one hour. Rapid infusion can lead to an allergic response with flushing and possible hypotension due to histamine release. Antihistamines can help, but do not replace the need for slow administration.

Step-by-step explanation:

Proper Administration of Vancocin to Reduce Hypotension and Red Man Syndrome:

To reduce the risk of hypotension and "red man syndrome," infusions of Vancocin (vancomycin) should be administered over one hour. Red man syndrome is a type of allergic reaction that commonly occurs with rapid infusion of vancomycin and is associated with red rash, flushing, and possibly hypotension, due to histamine release.

For particularly large doses or in patients with a high sensitivity, infusions may need to be given over a longer period to prevent these complications. In the presence of mild allergic reactions, antihistamines like Benadryl (diphenhydramine) can be used, but they do not replace the need for a slow infusion rate. Similarly, Zantac (ranitidine) or other histamine-blocking drugs might be administered to alleviate symptoms, but precaution in the rate of infusion remains the primary technique for reducing the incidence of this reaction.