The nurse is preparing to administer the fourth dose of IV vancomycin to a client. Which set of laboratory values would alert the nurse to hold the vancomycin and notify the health care provider?

Question

The nurse is preparing to administer the fourth dose of IV vancomycin to a client.  Which set of laboratory values would alert the nurse to hold the vancomycin and notify the health care provider?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Vancomycin (Vancocin) is a potent antibiotic used to treat gram-positive bacterial infections (eg, Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium difficile). To lower the risk of dose-related nephrotoxicity, especially in clients with renal impairment and those who are >60 years of age, serum vancomycin trough levels should be monitored to assess for therapeutic range (10-20 mg/L [6.9-13.8 µmol/L]). A vancomycin trough level above the normal range and/or elevated creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) values should be reported to the health care provider (HCP) as this may indicate nephrotoxicity. (Options A, B, and C) Normal laboratory values do not need to be reported to the HCP. Baseline and ongoing monitoring for normal levels of creatinine (0.6-1.3 mg/dL [53-115 µmol/L]) and BUN (6-20 mg/dL [2.1-7.1 mmol/L]) are necessary in clients receiving vancomycin. Educational objective: The normal therapeutic level of vancomycin is 10-20 mg/L (6.9-13.8 µmol/L). Elevated vancomycin trough levels (>20 mg/L [>13.8 µmol/L]), creatinine (>1.3 mg/dL [>115 µmol/L]), and blood urea nitrogen (>20 mg/dL [>7.1 mmol/L]) are associated with nephrotoxicity and should be reported to the health care provider.

The Nurse Is Preparing to Administer the Fourth Dose of IV