Does vancomycin require monitoring?

Therapeutic drug monitoring is recommended for all patients treated with vancomycin for longer than 48 hours to avoid under-dosing. Monitoring is also important to minimise the risk of toxicity, especially in patients with renal impairment (including those receiving renal replacement therapy).

Why do you monitor vancomycin?

Vancomycin can also be given before certain surgeries to prevent an infection. Monitoring the level of vancomycin is important because its effectiveness relies on keeping blood levels above a minimum concentration for the entire duration of therapy (also referred to as total drug exposure).

What should you assess before administering vancomycin?

Assess any back or neck pain to rule out musculoskeletal pathology; that is, try to determine if pain is drug induced rather than caused by anatomic or biomechanical problems. Monitor for signs of eosinophilia (fatigue, weakness, myalgia) or leukopenia (fever, sore throat, signs of infection).

What nursing considerations are essential when giving vancomycin?

Some considerations for nurses administering vancomycin include ensuring a patent IV line, planning for administration of the preoperative dose as much as two hours before the initial incision is made, and including information about the dose and timing of preoperative vancomycin administration in the surgical time out …

How often do you monitor vancomycin levels?

At minimum, levels should be obtained for all patients by 72 hours of therapy and at least weekly thereafter. Many patients will require more frequent monitoring. Chemistries and CBCs should also be checked at least weekly.

When should vancomycin levels be checked?

How often should vancomycin levels be checked?

What are the side effects of vancomycin IV?

What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Vancomycin?

  • bitter taste.
  • reddish rash on face and upper body (intravenously: red neck or red man syndrome, related to infusion rate)
  • low blood pressure accompanied by flushing.
  • nausea.
  • vomiting.
  • chills.
  • drug fever.
  • high levels of white blood cells (eosinophilia)

When do you check vancomycin trough levels?

  1. Trough level samples are to be taken approximately 30 minutes before the dose is due.
  2. Inpatients with normal renal function, the next dose of vancomycin should be given at the scheduled time before the level is known.

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