ACTIVE LEARNING TEMPLATE: Medication
STUDENT NAME _____________________________________
cephalexin
MEDICATION __________________________________________________________________________ REVIEW MODULE CHAPTER ___________
first-generation cephalosporin
CATEGORY CLASS ______________________________________________________________________
PURPOSE OF MEDICATION
Expected Pharmacological Action Therapeutic Use
Binds to bacterial cell membranes, inhibits Bactericidal
cell wall synthesis.
Complications Medication Administration
Frequent: oral candidiasis,mild diarrhea, mild abdominal cramping, vaginal candidiasis. Occasional:
nausea, serum sickness-like reaction (fever, joint pain;usually occurs after second course of therapy PO
and resolves after drug is discontinued). Rare: Allergic reaction (rash, pruritus, urticaria). •After reconstitution, oral
Antibiotic-associated colitis, other superinfections (abdominal cramps, severe diarrhea, fever) may suspension is stable for 14 days if
result from altered bacterial balance. Nephrotoxicity, Pts with history of penicillin allergy at increased
risk for a severe hypersensitivity reaction (severe pruritus, angiodema, bronchospasm, anaphylaxis).
refrigerated. •Shake oral
suspension well before using.
•Give without regard to food. If GI
upset occurs, give with food, milk.
Contraindications/Precautions
Contraindications: History of hypersensitivity/anaphylactic
reaction to cephalosporins. Nursing Interventions
Cautions: Renal impairment, history of GI disease, history
of penicillin allergy. Assess oral cavity for white patches on
mucous membranes, tongue. Monitor
daily pattern of bowl activity, stool
consistency. Mild GI effects may be
tolerable. Monitor I&O, renal function
tests for nephrotoxicity. Be alert for
Interactions superinfection: fever, vomiting, diarrhea,
anal/genital pruritus, oral mucosal
Drug: Probenecid may increase concentration. changes.
Lab values: may increase serum, BUN, creatinine,
alkaline, phosphatase, bilirubin, LDH, ALT, AST. May
cause positive direct/indirect Coomb's test.
Client Education
•Doses should be evenly
Evaluation of Medication Effectiveness spaced. •Continue therapy for
full length of treatment. •May
Absence of bacterial infection cause GI upset (may take with
Absence of recurrence of bacterial infection food, milk). •Refrigerate oral
suspension. •Report persistent
diarrhea.
ACTIVE LEARNING TEMPLATES
STUDENT NAME _____________________________________
cephalexin
MEDICATION __________________________________________________________________________ REVIEW MODULE CHAPTER ___________
first-generation cephalosporin
CATEGORY CLASS ______________________________________________________________________
PURPOSE OF MEDICATION
Expected Pharmacological Action Therapeutic Use
Binds to bacterial cell membranes, inhibits Bactericidal
cell wall synthesis.
Complications Medication Administration
Frequent: oral candidiasis,mild diarrhea, mild abdominal cramping, vaginal candidiasis. Occasional:
nausea, serum sickness-like reaction (fever, joint pain;usually occurs after second course of therapy PO
and resolves after drug is discontinued). Rare: Allergic reaction (rash, pruritus, urticaria). •After reconstitution, oral
Antibiotic-associated colitis, other superinfections (abdominal cramps, severe diarrhea, fever) may suspension is stable for 14 days if
result from altered bacterial balance. Nephrotoxicity, Pts with history of penicillin allergy at increased
risk for a severe hypersensitivity reaction (severe pruritus, angiodema, bronchospasm, anaphylaxis).
refrigerated. •Shake oral
suspension well before using.
•Give without regard to food. If GI
upset occurs, give with food, milk.
Contraindications/Precautions
Contraindications: History of hypersensitivity/anaphylactic
reaction to cephalosporins. Nursing Interventions
Cautions: Renal impairment, history of GI disease, history
of penicillin allergy. Assess oral cavity for white patches on
mucous membranes, tongue. Monitor
daily pattern of bowl activity, stool
consistency. Mild GI effects may be
tolerable. Monitor I&O, renal function
tests for nephrotoxicity. Be alert for
Interactions superinfection: fever, vomiting, diarrhea,
anal/genital pruritus, oral mucosal
Drug: Probenecid may increase concentration. changes.
Lab values: may increase serum, BUN, creatinine,
alkaline, phosphatase, bilirubin, LDH, ALT, AST. May
cause positive direct/indirect Coomb's test.
Client Education
•Doses should be evenly
Evaluation of Medication Effectiveness spaced. •Continue therapy for
full length of treatment. •May
Absence of bacterial infection cause GI upset (may take with
Absence of recurrence of bacterial infection food, milk). •Refrigerate oral
suspension. •Report persistent
diarrhea.
ACTIVE LEARNING TEMPLATES
