A patient is receiving gentamicin once daily. A nursing student asks the nurse how the drug can be effective if given only once a day. The nurse explains drug dosing schedules for aminoglycosides. Which statement by the student indicates a need for further teaching?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When a daily dose is given once daily instead of divided into 2 or 3 doses, a higher peak level can be achieved. The higher peak, along with the fact that aminoglycosides have a postantibiotic effect, means that the bacterial kill is just as great with one dose as with two or three doses per day. When a single daily dose is given, the risk of toxicity is reduced. Gentamicin does not have a longer half-life than other aminoglycosides.

A Patient Is Receiving Gentamicin Once Daily