A hospitalized patient is being given gentamicin to treat a gram-negative bacterial infection.The patient's physician contacts you regarding monitoring of this antibiotic because this patient is beginning to exhibit signs of hearing loss and renal failure.When you assess the patient's 10-hour postinfusion trough antibiotic concentration,it is increased.You learn from the physician that he has been dosing the patient to keep the antibiotic concentration high,"at a steady state" he tells you.You state that:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Aminoglycoside antibiotics like gentamicin have a postantibiotic effect, which means that they continue to kill bacteria even after the concentration has decreased. Therefore, it is not necessary to maintain a high trough concentration. In fact, high trough concentrations can increase the risk of toxicity to the patient, including hearing loss and renal failure. The physician should adjust the dosing regimen to allow for a decrease in trough concentrations. If the patient's condition does not improve or worsens, then considering changing antibiotics may be necessary.

A Hospitalized Patient Is Being Given Gentamicin to Treat a Gram-Negative