Problem
Choose one of the following scenarios to discuss in paragraph form with no fewer than six sentences.
Scenario I
You are assigned to care for a patient who was recently admitted to your unit with pneumonia and is ordered antibiotics. The physician starts with vancomycin to attack the bacteria.
i. What is the mechanism of action of this antibiotic?
ii. What side effects and adverse reactions will you be monitoring for a while the patient is taking this medication?
iii. What are the contraindications?
iv. Your patient is being discharged home on this medication. What is included in the patient teaching?
v. Patients taking antibiotics are also at risk for superinfection. Describe what this is, how it is manifested, and preventative measures.
Scenario II
M.H is readmitted to the hospital after five days at home with no improvement of his infection. The physician decides to order an aminoglycoside (gentamicin).
i. Explain why aminoglycosides are administered for serious infection, not as a first choice for treating infection. When completing your initial assessment and patient history what would be concerning to you?
ii. What side effects and adverse reactions will you be monitoring while the patient is taking an aminoglycoside?
iii. What are the contraindications of aminoglycosides?
iv. What patient population would be administered aminoglycosides with extreme caution? Explain your answer.
Scenario III
You are assigned a patient who is complaining of painful urination, frequency, and urgency. The physician orders a sulfonamide, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
i. What is the mechanism of action of this antibiotic?
ii. What are the side effects and adverse reactions of sulfonamides?
iii. What are the contraindications?
iv. What teaching must be included when the patient is taking sulfonamides?
Scenario IV
M.R has been prescribed Amphotericin B for a systemic fungal infection.
i. How are systemic fungal infections different from cutaneous infections? What are common examples of each?
ii. What is the mechanism of action of Amphotericin B? Why aren't antibiotics prescribed?
iii. What are the side effects/adverse reactions/contraindications of Amphotericin B?
iv. What are opportunistic infections and how are they pertinent here?