NURS 1566 Clinical Form 3: Clinical Medications Worksheets
(You will need to make additional copies of these forms)
Generic Name Trade Name
Cefazolin Ancef
Peak Onset Duration
End of infusion Rapid 6-12hr
Why is your patient getting this medication
Perioperative prophylaxis for bacterial infection
Mechanism of action and indications
(Why med ordered)
Binds to bacterial cell wall membrane, causing cell death.
Bactericidal action against susceptible bacteria
Interactions with other patient drugs, OTC or herbal
medicines (ask patient specifically)
Check with other pt drugs.
Nursing Process- Assessment
(Pre-administration assessment)
Assess for infection (vs, appearance of wound,
sputum, urine, and stool; WBC) at beginning
and throughout therapy. Determine if hx of
cephalosporin reaction has occurred. Obtain C
& S . Monitor IV site often for
thrombophlebitis ( pain, redness, swelling)
Change sites every 48-72 hr to prevent
phlebitis. Do not use solutions that are cloudy
or contain precipitate.
Classification Dose Route Time/frequency
Anti-infectives 1gm IV Q 8hr x 2 doses
Normal dosage range
1gm within 30-60 min prior to incision (an additional 500mg-1g
should be given for all surgeries over 2 hr. 500mg-1g should then
be given for all surgeries every 6-8 hr for 24 hr following surgery
For IV meds, compatibility with IV drips and/or solutions
Y-site incompatibility- amphotericin B, cholesteryl sulfate,
idarubicin, pentamidine, vinorelbine
Nursing Implications (what to focus on)
Contraindications/warnings/interactions
Hypersensitivity to cephalosporins
Common side effects
Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, rashes, phlebitis at IV site
Lab value alterations caused by medicine
May cause a positive Coomb’s test in pt. receiving high doses or
in neonates whose mothers were given cephalosporins before
delivery. May inc. serum AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase,
bilirubin, LDH, BUN, creatinine. May cause leucopenia,
neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and eosinophilia
Be sure to teach the patient the following about this medication
Report s/s of superinfection (furry overgrowth on the tongue,
vaginal itching or discharge, loose foul-smelling stools) and
allergy. Notify Dr. if fever and diarrhea develop, esp. if diarrhea
contains blood, mucus, or pus. Do not treat diarrhea without
consulting health care professional.
Assessment Evaluation
Why would you hold or not give this med? Check after giving
S/S of anaphylaxis ( rash, pruritus, laryngeal Resolution of s/s of
edema, wheezing), D/C drug and notify infection. Length of time for
physician. complete resolution depends
on the organism and site of
infection. Decreased
incidence of infection when
used for prophylaxis