Nursing Fundamentals NUR108 Chapter 84 – Drugs That Weaken the Bacterial Cell Wall I
Lecture Summary and Study Guide
B. Assess the patient for allergies.
The principal adverse effect of penicillin’s is allergic reaction. Penicillin’s are contraindicated in
patients with a history of severe allergic reactions to penicillin’s, cephalosporins, or
carbapenems. IV patency is important, as is monitoring renal function, because impairment can
cause penicillin’s to reach toxic levels; however, these are not as important as determining
allergy status. - ✔✔Before administering intravenous (IV) penicillin, the nurse should do what?
A. Flush the IV site with normal saline.
B. Assess the patient for allergies.
C. Review the patient's intake and output record.
D. Determine the latest creatinine clearance result.
D. Administer subcutaneous epinephrine.
Itching and redness at the IM injection site indicate an allergy to penicillin. The primary
treatment is epinephrine (subcutaneous, IM, or IV) plus respiratory support. Elevation, ice
packs, and calming the patient are done once epinephrine has been administered. - ✔✔Thirty
minutes after receiving an intramuscular (IM) injection of penicillin G [Pfizerpen], a patient
reports itching and redness at the injection site. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Elevate the lower legs.
B. Place an ice pack on the site.
C. Make sure the patient stays calm.
D. Administer subcutaneous epinephrine.
, A. Cardiac rhythm
Penicillin G in high IV doses may cause hyperkalemia, which can result in dysrhythmias or
cardiac arrest. Hypernatremia occurs with high IV doses of ticarcillin. Lung sounds and the RBC
count are unrelated to the administration of penicillin G. - ✔✔A patient is receiving penicillin G
[Bicillin C-R]. Which assessment should the nurse monitor as an indicator of an undesired
effect?
A. Cardiac rhythm
B. Serum sodium level
C. Lung sounds
D. Red blood cell (RBC) count
A. Skin rash and loose stools
Ampicillin's most common side effects are rash and diarrhea; both reactions occur more
frequently with ampicillin than with any other penicillin. Reddened tongue and gums, digit
numbness and tingling, and bruising and petechiae are not associated side effects of ampicillin.
- ✔✔A nurse should teach a patient to observe for which side effects when taking ampicillin?
A. Skin rash and loose stools
B. Reddened tongue and gums
C. Digit numbness and tingling
D. Bruising and petechiae
A. Ensure that separate IV solutions are used.
When penicillins are present in high concentrations, they interact chemically with
aminoglycosides, causing inactivation of the aminoglycosides. Therefore, penicillins and
aminoglycosides should not be mixed in the same IV solution. Rather, these drugs should be
Lecture Summary and Study Guide
B. Assess the patient for allergies.
The principal adverse effect of penicillin’s is allergic reaction. Penicillin’s are contraindicated in
patients with a history of severe allergic reactions to penicillin’s, cephalosporins, or
carbapenems. IV patency is important, as is monitoring renal function, because impairment can
cause penicillin’s to reach toxic levels; however, these are not as important as determining
allergy status. - ✔✔Before administering intravenous (IV) penicillin, the nurse should do what?
A. Flush the IV site with normal saline.
B. Assess the patient for allergies.
C. Review the patient's intake and output record.
D. Determine the latest creatinine clearance result.
D. Administer subcutaneous epinephrine.
Itching and redness at the IM injection site indicate an allergy to penicillin. The primary
treatment is epinephrine (subcutaneous, IM, or IV) plus respiratory support. Elevation, ice
packs, and calming the patient are done once epinephrine has been administered. - ✔✔Thirty
minutes after receiving an intramuscular (IM) injection of penicillin G [Pfizerpen], a patient
reports itching and redness at the injection site. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Elevate the lower legs.
B. Place an ice pack on the site.
C. Make sure the patient stays calm.
D. Administer subcutaneous epinephrine.
, A. Cardiac rhythm
Penicillin G in high IV doses may cause hyperkalemia, which can result in dysrhythmias or
cardiac arrest. Hypernatremia occurs with high IV doses of ticarcillin. Lung sounds and the RBC
count are unrelated to the administration of penicillin G. - ✔✔A patient is receiving penicillin G
[Bicillin C-R]. Which assessment should the nurse monitor as an indicator of an undesired
effect?
A. Cardiac rhythm
B. Serum sodium level
C. Lung sounds
D. Red blood cell (RBC) count
A. Skin rash and loose stools
Ampicillin's most common side effects are rash and diarrhea; both reactions occur more
frequently with ampicillin than with any other penicillin. Reddened tongue and gums, digit
numbness and tingling, and bruising and petechiae are not associated side effects of ampicillin.
- ✔✔A nurse should teach a patient to observe for which side effects when taking ampicillin?
A. Skin rash and loose stools
B. Reddened tongue and gums
C. Digit numbness and tingling
D. Bruising and petechiae
A. Ensure that separate IV solutions are used.
When penicillins are present in high concentrations, they interact chemically with
aminoglycosides, causing inactivation of the aminoglycosides. Therefore, penicillins and
aminoglycosides should not be mixed in the same IV solution. Rather, these drugs should be
