Question

The nurse is preparing to give the first dose of cefuroxime. What action should the nurse take before giving the medication? Scenario: Pt is allergic to Penicillin and pt had never take cefuroxime before.

Answer 1

Cefuroxime (Zinacef) is an antibiotic, and it is a trade name of cephalosporin (SEF a low spor in). It fights against bacterial infections (bacteremia). The structure of Cefuroxime is as follows: -OH NH Cefuroxime The most important thing is that nurse should make sure that the patient is not allergic to cefuroxime and it is not allowed to prescribe for anyone who is younger than three months old. Then nurse should know about history of patient whether he/she has been suffering from any fatal disease like kidney disease, diabetes, liver disease, colitis, malnourished, etc. If the patient would have been suffering from any these fatal diseases, then extra measures should be taken before administration with respect to dosage. A patient must disclose if he/she has any genetic abnormities like phenylketonuria (PKU). Cefuroxime works against birth control pills, so the nurse should aware that patient is under birth control pills or not. This drug can pass through the breast milk while nursing a baby, so if patient is a recent mother then nurse should know the risks of breastfeeding.

Answer 2

Ans) Antibiotic Allergy Testing: If you had an allergic reaction to penicillin then, doctor may advise an allergy test for Cefuroxime also as cefuroxime is in a class of medications called cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.

- Skin testing is available for antibiotics, such as cephalosporins, can be done, but the validity is uncertain.

- Patch test: A nurse puts a small amount of a drug on skin & marks site. After 20 min, she will check for a reaction. This test can check for delayed allergic reactions to antibiotics, anticonvulsants, and other drugs.

- Allergy can be also checked by administering a small dose of antibiotic via IV & stop it for 10 mins & check for any allergic reaction (rash, fever, chills, etc). If allergic with hold & inform doctor & if not allergic then administer full dose of antibiotic.