Bactrim post-op?

[yahoo1]

Hi im a nursing student, first post here, just wondering about a prescription regimen..

A person given an antibiotic regimen of Bactrim for two weeks following an outpatient foot surgery... do they have to worry about their potassium levels being elevated? should they avoid bananas and potassium rich foods? And should they get blood work done?

Also what is the most important thing to know, with this regimen?

Thanks!

[DayDreamin ER CRNP]

Is this part of a class assignment or for your own personal needs?

I see that this is your first post. If you have this as a class assignment, we love to help around here but we like to see folks at least attempt to figure it out. Share with us what you have so far, your thought process, and your rationales or what you think is the answer and we are happy to help.

We do not, however, like to do a student's homework for her (or him).

If you are seeking some medical advice for your own needs, we are not allowed to give that around here.

good luck with school!

meredith

[yahoo1]

Its not for an assignment since school hasnt started this semester yet. Im just reviewing and came across this. The thing im wondering most is whether or not the Bactrim would cause problems with potassium since its only a 2 week treatment. Im leaning towards no because its a short period of time, unless its a heart patient then it would need to be monitorred. Am I on the right tract?

[anonymousstudent]

what will help you a lot with these is to pick up a nursing drug book. like davis's. there's a section in mine called "nursing implications" and "patient/family teaching" that are super helpful.

i glanced over trimethoprom/sulfamethoxazole (bactrim) and see nothing about raised k levels. this drug may cause raised serum bilirubin, creatine, and alkaline phosphate. "instruct the patient to notify health care professional if fever and diarrhea develop, especially if diarrhea contains blood, mucus, or pus. advise patient not to treat diarrhea without consulting health care professional." here are the major adverse reactions: pseudomembranous colitis, hepatic necrosis, nausea, vomiting, toxic epidermal necrolysis, rashes, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, phlebitus (at the iv site), erythema multiforme, stevens-johnson syndrome

[yahoo1]

although the drug books do not state it. it has been reported that it causes potassium elevation. and Ive researched that some of the nursing teaching is to teach the patients not to consume too much potassium.

i thought there are people here that can contribute from experience and not just state facts from a book that I can find myself.

thanks tho.

[yahoo1]

And there doctors speculate that this is happening because of poor kidney excretion of potassium due to the antibiotics being excreted by the kidney as well.

so what i was wondering was would it have the same potential if the patient only takes it for 14 days?

but anyways.. good talk.

[anonymousstudent]

although the drug books do not state it. it has been reported that it causes potassium elevation. and Ive researched that some of the nursing teaching is to teach the patients not to consume too much potassium.

i thought there are people here that can contribute from experience and not just state facts from a book that I can find myself.

thanks tho.

Are you sure you can find them yourself? Good luck in NS.

[yahoo1]

Are you sure you can find them yourself? Good luck in NS.

im pretty sure, except what I can find in the drug book does not answer my main question because i was taught to think outside the box as a nurse, not just read off facts from the drug book. so that's why i thought maybe ill ask here if anyone had any experience with this . and thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!