Vancomycin (Vancocin) Nursing Considerations

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Kara Tarr
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Drug Card Vancomycin (Vancocin) (Cheatsheet)
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Outline

Generic Name

vancomycin

Trade Name

Vancocin

Indication

life threatening infections, sepsis

Action

bactericidal, inhibits cell wall synthesis

Therapeutic Class

anti-infectives

Pharmacologic Class

glycopeptides

Nursing Considerations

• can cause ototoxicity, nausea, vomiting, nephrotoxicity, anaphylaxis, red-man syndrome
• assess for infection
• obtain culture prior to initiating therapy
• monitor blood pressure
• dose dependent draw serum trough levels frequently
• administer over at least 60 minutes to avoid skin irritation

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Transcript

Okay, let’s talk about the drug vancomycin also known as van cosin. This is an IV medication, as you can see here, and it also comes in an oral form. Vancomycin is an anti infective agent is how the drug works in the body. The pharmacologic class, or its chemical effect is a glycopeptide antibiotic. Vancomycin works as a bacterial Cytal agent, which is why we use it for the treatment of life-threatening infections, sepsis. And in the oral form, we use vancomycin for the treatment of C diff. So with vancomycin, sometimes we can see side effects, including auto toxicity, nausea, vomiting, and probably it’s best known for the side effect of the red man syndrome or the sudden redness after initiating the medication, a few nursing considerations for vancomycin. It may cause nephrotoxicity and anaphylaxis. Be sure to assess your patient’s infection while on vancomycin obtain cultures prior to the start of therapy, monitor your patient’s blood pressure and serum trough levels. 

And these are going to determine the patient’s dose, teach the patient to report any allergies as well as any side effects to the provider. So I just wanted to let you know that peak levels are not necessary and should not be drawn. And also there is an important drug interaction between vancomycin and Theil these two together, the, there is a much higher risk of acute kidney injury. So be aware of that. Also, guys, you’re not going to believe this, but I actually had a patient today who we started vancomycin on. Um, they were in for surgery and shortly after com of shortly after initiating the myin, the patient suddenly became very red. Um, and this side effect I’ve actually seen on many occasions and eventually you’ll see it too. If you haven’t already that’s it for vancomycin or Vanko now go out and be your best self today. And as always happy nursing, I.

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Concepts Covered:

  • Basics of Chemistry
  • Communication
  • Community Health Overview
  • Terminology
  • Documentation and Communication
  • Legal and Ethical Issues
  • Fundamentals of Emergency Nursing
  • Digestive System
  • Preoperative Nursing
  • Renal Disorders
  • Hematologic Disorders
  • Basics of Human Biology
  • Developmental Theories
  • Integumentary Disorders
  • Reading
  • Adult
  • Basic
  • Suffixes
  • Disorders of Pancreas
  • Musculoskeletal Disorders
  • Basics of NCLEX
  • Test Taking Strategies
  • Perioperative Nursing Roles
  • Studying
  • Acute & Chronic Renal Disorders
  • Respiratory Disorders
  • Circulatory System
  • Tissues and Glands
  • Developmental Considerations
  • Trauma-Stress Disorders
  • Proteins
  • Musculoskeletal Trauma
  • Vascular Disorders
  • Emergency Care of the Cardiac Patient
  • Medication Administration
  • Cardiac Disorders
  • Labor and Delivery
  • Shock
  • Disorders of the Posterior Pituitary Gland
  • Labor Complications
  • Urinary Disorders

Study Plan Lessons

Chemistry Course Introduction
Communication Course Introduction
Community Health Course Introduction
Diagnostic Testing Course Introduction
Documentation Course Introduction
Emergency Nursing Course Introduction
Gastrointestinal (GI) Course Introduction
Health Assessment Course Introduction
Genitourinary Course Introduction
Hematology/Oncology/Immunology Course Introduction
Human Biology Course Introduction
Human Growth & Development Course Introduction
Integumentary (Skin) Course Introduction
Language Arts Course Introduction
Life Support Review Course Introduction
Medical Terminology Course Introduction
Metabolic/Endocrine Course Introduction
Musculoskeletal Course Introduction
Nursing Care Plans Course Introduction
Nursing Interviews & Resumes Course Introduction
Nursing Report & Communication Course Introduction
Nursing Skills Course Introduction
Perioperative Nursing Course Introduction
TEAS® Prep Course Introduction
Acute Renal (Kidney) Module Intro
Care of the Pediatric Patient
CPR-BLS (Basic Life Support)
Electrical A&P of the Heart
Epithelial (Skin) Tissues
Handling Death and Dying
Hematology Module Intro
Hemoglobin and Myoglobin
Identifying Key Ideas & Details in Reading
Integumentary (Skin) Module Intro
Wound Care – Dressing Change
What is the NCLEX?
Warfarin (Coumadin) Nursing Considerations
Verapamil (Calan) Nursing Considerations
Ventricular Tachycardia (V-tach)
Ventricular Fibrillation (V Fib)
Vent Alarms
Venous Disorders (Chronic venous insufficiency, Deep venous thrombosis/DVT)
VEAL CHOP Nursing Mnemonic (Fetal Accelerations and Decelerations) (VEAL CHOP)
Vasospasm Therapy Nursing Mnemonic (Triple H Therapy)
Vasopressin (Pitressin) Nursing Considerations
Vasopressin
Vancomycin (Vancocin) Nursing Considerations
Uterine Stimulants (Oxytocin, Pitocin) Nursing Considerations
Urine Culture and Sensitivity Lab Values