What is pre-dose vancomycin?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello:

I am a nursing student just beginning to understand the various labs and diagnostic tests - However I came across a lab result on a clinical patient that is for VACOMYCIN PRE - While searching the internet, I did find that I think it means "pre-dose" but my lab manuals do not mention PRE VAncomycin. What does it mean exactly (assuming it has something to do with VRE) but I'm unsure what the proper reference range should be with a pre-dose. What would a 6.6 result indicate on a pre-vancomycin? It is the weekend and a long weekend at that, so I'm searching for some forum feedback !:monkeydance:

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It's a vanco trough level, drawn at a specific time before the dose is given.

Google vancomycin level or trough.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Vancomycin is one of the toxic antibiotics that can damage the kidneys. Drug levels are monitored for "Peaks and troughs"

Trough level ( pre drug given): blood is drawn//taken 30 min to 1 hr prior to infusion.

Peak level (post drug give): blood is drawn/taken 30 min to 1 hr after infusion.

Gentamycin is another antibiotic that needs drug levels monitored.

Doseage of drug is changed based on test results to prevent nephrotoxicity.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept.

Just to clarify a little - the lab is drawn before a dose of vanc is given, but after previous doses. Ex. the patient has Vanc ordered every 12 hours - the doctor may order for the lab to be drawn prior to the fourth dose. This helps make sure we aren't giving the patient too much, that they are able to filter it out.

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Thanks for your responses! I love Allnurse.com!

Strange that the patient record though had only pre-Vancomycin results and not a post result next to it. Because otherwise, what is the purpose?

Thanks again!

[Pinky]:balloons:

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Specializes in NICU.

In my NICU we only do Vanc troughs - not peaks. I believe it's because the trough level is a better indicator of kidney damage than a peak would be. We do, however, draw both peak and trough levels for Gentamicin.

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In my NICU we only do Vanc troughs - not peaks. I believe it's because the trough level is a better indicator of kidney damage than a peak would be. We do, however, draw both peak and trough levels for Gentamicin.
Yeah, I don't see peaks drawn much anymore; more often now we'll do random levels.
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