Important nursing considerations when giving levofloxacin

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Hello everyone! I am a new RN grad, but I am also working on my BSN degree. I am putting together a short essy on Levaquin. What would you guys consider to be the 3 most important nursing considerations when administering this med?

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Specializes in ACNP-BC.

I would say (1) first make sure the patient does not have an allergy to it before you give it, (2) run it slowly enough so it won't sting/burn going in, and (3) make sure you flush it after you give it to be sure the patient received all the medication and that it all went through the IV into the vein. Hope that helps!

-Christine

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There is lots of information here:

http://www.levaquin.com/about/levatab.pdf#zoom=100

Also, I recently had a patient who was taking some strong antibiotics (I think Levaquin) and was on coumadin. Since Vitamin K is made in the large intestine by intestinal flora, if that intestinal flora is wiped out by antibiotic therapy, the body does not make enough vitamin K, and with coumadin, the INR can go up (I think the patient's INR was 6 or 7). The patient had a GI bleed, and came in with a blood pressure of 60/30.

Oldiebutgoodie

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Specializes in Palliative Care, NICU/NNP.

If it's p.o. it needs to be one hour ac or two hours pc. Having asked a Pharmacist about this, he said that if the meal contains no dairy and you aren't taking certain minerals with it, you can take it with your meal. I believe this is also noncrushable, but I wouldn't stake my life on it.

As always that it's given on time. Probably drink a lot of fluid.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I work with renal patients and you need to ensure the pt has normal renal function or adjust the dose downwards. Also, if the pt is on coumadin, adjust the dose of coumadin down prior to giving the Levaquin.

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The above, plus watch for joint and tendon pain.

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Specializes in rehab; med/surg; l&d; peds/home care.

be aware of all the side effects: my uncle had BOTH achilles tendons rupture as a result of this medication. i have seen some nurses lose appreciation for the power of a medication, we must be careful not to. my uncle was in a wheelchair for quite a while and lots of rehab.

are there any specific items you are looking for in regards to your paper??

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1) Have they ever taken Levaquin before? If so, how did they tolerate it? 2) Allergies? 3) Run it as prescribed (too fast can burn the vessel).

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