Pharmacology Nursing Care Plan
Cellulitis is a common, potentially serious bacterial skin infection. Cellulitis appears as a swollen, red area of skin that feels hot and tender, and it may spread rapidly. The skin on the lower legs is most commonly affected, though cellulitis can occur anywhere on the body or face. Cellulitis may affect only the skin’s surface or cellulitis may also affect tissues underlying the skin and can spread to the lymph nodes and bloodstream. Left untreated, the spreading infection may rapidly turn life-threatening. That’s why it’s important to seek immediate medical attention if cellulitis symptoms occur (Jenkins & Harper, 2011).
There are numerous anti-infective medications available, and sometimes a combination of drugs must be given to rid the infection. Regardless, most infections can be controlled and removed. The anti-infective medication highlighted in this paper will be cefazolin better known as Ancef. Cefazolin is a member of the cephalosporins. According to Lilley, Rainforth-Collins, Harrington & Snyder, 2011, “Cephalosporins are semisynthetic antibiotics widely used in clinical practice. They are structurally and pharmacologically related to the penicillins. Like penicillins, cephalosporins are bactericidal and work by interfering with bacterial cell wall synthesis. They also bind to the same penicillin-binding proteins inside bacteria” (p.594).
Medication
Trade Name: Ancef
Generic Name: cefazolin
Indications and Usage: Upper, lower respiratory tract, urinary tract, skin infections; bone, joint, biliary, genital infections; endocarditis, surgical prophylazis, septicemia (Skidmore, 2011).
Adverse Effects: CNS- headache, dizziness, weakness, paresthesia, fever, chills, seizures (high doses) GI- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, pail, glossitis, bleeding; increased AST, ALT, bilirubin, LDH, alkaline phosphatase; abdominal pain, pseudomembranous colitis GU-proteinuria, vaginitis, pruritis, candidiasis, increased BUN, nephrotoxicity, renal
There are numerous anti-infective medications available, and sometimes a combination of drugs must be given to rid the infection. Regardless, most infections can be controlled and removed. The anti-infective medication highlighted in this paper will be cefazolin better known as Ancef. Cefazolin is a member of the cephalosporins. According to Lilley, Rainforth-Collins, Harrington & Snyder, 2011, “Cephalosporins are semisynthetic antibiotics widely used in clinical practice. They are structurally and pharmacologically related to the penicillins. Like penicillins, cephalosporins are bactericidal and work by interfering with bacterial cell wall synthesis. They also bind to the same penicillin-binding proteins inside bacteria” (p.594).
Medication
Trade Name: Ancef
Generic Name: cefazolin
Indications and Usage: Upper, lower respiratory tract, urinary tract, skin infections; bone, joint, biliary, genital infections; endocarditis, surgical prophylazis, septicemia (Skidmore, 2011).
Adverse Effects: CNS- headache, dizziness, weakness, paresthesia, fever, chills, seizures (high doses) GI- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, pail, glossitis, bleeding; increased AST, ALT, bilirubin, LDH, alkaline phosphatase; abdominal pain, pseudomembranous colitis GU-proteinuria, vaginitis, pruritis, candidiasis, increased BUN, nephrotoxicity, renal
References: Jenkins, G., Kemnitz, C., & Tortoa, G. (2010). Anatomy and Physiology from Science to Life second edition. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Lilley, L., Rainforth-Collins, S., Harrington, S., & Snyder, J. (2011). Pharmacology and the nursing process. (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier. Potter, P. A., & Perry, A. G. (2009). Fundamentals of Nursing seventh edition. St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier. Skidmore, L. (2011). Mosby’s drug guide for nurses. (9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier. .