Vancomycin (Vancocin) Nursing Considerations

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Kara Tarr
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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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S25 Week 3 Study Plan (Hematology, Oncology, Skin, MS, Sensory, Mental Health, Pharm)

Concepts Covered:

  • Test Taking Strategies
  • EENT Disorders
  • Prefixes
  • Suffixes
  • Disorders of the Adrenal Gland
  • Integumentary Disorders
  • Bipolar Disorders
  • Disorders of the Posterior Pituitary Gland
  • Hematologic Disorders
  • Immunological Disorders
  • Medication Administration
  • Musculoskeletal Disorders
  • Labor Complications
  • Musculoskeletal Trauma
  • Disorders of the Thyroid & Parathyroid Glands
  • Integumentary Important Points
  • Learning Pharmacology
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Disorders of Pancreas
  • Trauma-Stress Disorders
  • Oncology Disorders
  • Somatoform Disorders
  • Dosage Calculations
  • Depressive Disorders
  • Personality Disorders
  • Cognitive Disorders
  • Eating Disorders
  • Substance Abuse Disorders
  • Psychological Emergencies
  • Liver & Gallbladder Disorders
  • Upper GI Disorders
  • Urinary System
  • Cardiac Disorders
  • Cardiovascular Disorders
  • Female Reproductive Disorders
  • Neurologic and Cognitive Disorders
  • Shock
  • Respiratory Disorders
  • Nervous System
  • Urinary Disorders
  • Pregnancy Risks
  • Psychotic Disorders

Study Plan Lessons

12 Points to Answering Pharmacology Questions
Glaucoma
Glaucoma
54 Common Medication Prefixes and Suffixes
Addisons Disease
Burn Injuries
Burn Injuries
Cataracts
Cataracts
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Cushings Syndrome
Macular Degeneration
Macular Degeneration
Pressure Ulcers/Pressure injuries (Braden scale)
Pressure Ulcers/Pressure injuries (Braden scale)
Therapeutic Drug Levels (Digoxin, Lithium, Theophylline, Phenytoin)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Diabetes Insipidus (DI)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
Essential NCLEX Meds by Class
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Herpes Zoster – Shingles
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Herpes Zoster – Shingles
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Osteoarthritis (OA)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Osteoarthritis (OA)
6 Rights of Medication Administration
Hearing Loss
Hearing Loss
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Osteoporosis
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Osteoporosis
Thrombocytopenia
Blood Transfusions (Administration)
Fractures
Fractures
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Hyperthyroidism
Integumentary (Skin) Important Points
Integumentary (Skin) Important Points
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Hypothyroidism
The SOCK Method – Overview
The SOCK Method – S
The SOCK Method – O
The SOCK Method – C
The SOCK Method – K
Anxiety
Basics of Calculations
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Diabetes Mellitus (DM)
Dimensional Analysis Nursing (Dosage Calculations/Med Math)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Leukemia
Diabetes Management
Lymphoma
Oral Medications
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
Injectable Medications
Oncology Important Points
Somatoform
Hyperglycaemic Hyperosmolar Non-ketotic syndrome (HHNS)
IV Infusions (Solutions)
Complex Calculations (Dosage Calculations/Med Math)
Mood Disorders (Bipolar)
Depression
Paranoid Disorders
Personality Disorders
Cognitive Impairment Disorders
Eating Disorders (Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa)
Alcohol Withdrawal (Addiction)
Grief and Loss
Suicidal Behavior
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Anaphylaxis
Benzodiazepines
MAOIs
SSRIs
TCAs
Insulin
Histamine 1 Receptor Blockers
Histamine 2 Receptor Blockers
Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System
ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) Inhibitors
Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
Calcium Channel Blockers
Cardiac Glycosides
Metronidazole (Flagyl) Nursing Considerations
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) Nursing Considerations
Vancomycin (Vancocin) Nursing Considerations
Anti-Infective – Penicillins and Cephalosporins
Atypical Antipsychotics
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Sympathomimetics (Alpha (Clonodine) & Beta (Albuterol) Agonists)
Parasympathomimetics (Cholinergics) Nursing Considerations
Parasympatholytics (Anticholinergics) Nursing Considerations
Diuretics (Loop, Potassium Sparing, Thiazide, Furosemide/Lasix)
Epoetin Alfa
HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins)
Magnesium Sulfate
NSAIDs
Corticosteroids
Hydralazine (Apresoline) Nursing Considerations
Nitro Compounds
Vasopressin
Dissociative Disorders
Proton Pump Inhibitors
Schizophrenia
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for SIADH (Syndrome of Inappropriate antidiuretic Hormone Secretion)