Question

a nurse is caring for a client who has a pseudomonas infection and a new prescription for ticarcillin - clavulanate. which of the following should the nurse collect before administering this medication? a. indications of superinfection b. peak and trough medication levels c. baseline bun and creatinine d. history of allergy to aminoglycoside antibiotics

Explanation:

Ticarcillin - clavulanate is a beta - lactam antibiotic. It can be nephrotoxic. Baseline blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels are important to establish kidney function before administering the drug as kidney function can affect drug metabolism and potential toxicity. Superinfection indications are monitored during treatment, peak and trough levels are for drugs with a narrow therapeutic index (not a priority pre - administration for this drug), and allergy to aminoglycosides is not relevant as ticarcillin - clavulanate is not an aminoglycoside.

Answer:

C. Baseline BUN and creatinine