When administering vancomycin intravenously to a patient, the nurse understands that which of the following are potential side effects?
Explanation
• Vancomycin can cause nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, and Red man syndrome.
• Nephrotoxicity is characterized by changes in urination frequency or amount, nausea, vomiting, and increased thirst.
• Ototoxicity is characterized by hearing loss.
• Red man syndrome (from rapid IV infusion) is characterized by fever, chills, tachycardia, rash, nausea, and redness of the face, back, neck, and arms.
• Retinal toxicity, hepatotoxicity, and neurotoxicity are not side effects of vancomycin.