ACTIVE LEARNING TEMPLATE: Medication
STUDENT NAME _____________________________________
cephalexin (Keflex)
MEDICATION __________________________________________________________________________ REVIEW MODULE CHAPTER ___________
anti-infectives ; first generation cephalosporins
CATEGORY CLASS ______________________________________________________________________
PURPOSE OF MEDICATION
Expected Pharmacological Action Therapeutic Use
Bind to bacterial cell wall membrane, causing Treatment of skin and skin structure
cell death infections (incl. burn wounds), pneumonia,
urinary tract infections, bone and joint
infections, Septicemia, otitis media
Complications Medication Administration
CNS: seizures (high doses), GI: pseudomembranous Administer around the clock,
colitis, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting , rashes, allergic react. may be administered on full or
including Anaphylaxis and serum sickness empty stomach, taken with food
minimizes GI irritation, shake
oral suspension well before
administering, keep refrigerated
Contraindications/Precautions
Hypersensitivity to cephalosporins; serious
hypersensitivity to penicillins, use cautiously in renal
impairment, history of GI disease, espc. colitis Nursing Interventions
Observe pt of signs and symptoms of
anaphylaxis, discontinue and notify
hcp if problems occur, keep
epinephrine and resuscitation close
by, monitor bowel function, signs of
pseudomembranous colitis must be
Interactions reported promptly
Drug-drug: Probenecid lowers excretion and increases
blood levels of renally excreted cephalosporins,
concurrent use of loop diuretics or aminoglycosides may
increase risk of renal toxicity
Client Education
Instruct pt to notify hcp if fever and
diarrhea develop, esp if it contains
Evaluation of Medication Effectiveness blood, mucus or pus, do not treat
diarrhea without consulting a hcp,
Resolution of sign and symptoms of infection. decreased advise pt to finish medication
incidence of infection when used for prophylaxis completely, missed doses take asap,
do not double doses, sharing meds
may be dangerous
ACTIVE LEARNING TEMPLATES THERAPEUTIC PROCEDURE A7
STUDENT NAME _____________________________________
cephalexin (Keflex)
MEDICATION __________________________________________________________________________ REVIEW MODULE CHAPTER ___________
anti-infectives ; first generation cephalosporins
CATEGORY CLASS ______________________________________________________________________
PURPOSE OF MEDICATION
Expected Pharmacological Action Therapeutic Use
Bind to bacterial cell wall membrane, causing Treatment of skin and skin structure
cell death infections (incl. burn wounds), pneumonia,
urinary tract infections, bone and joint
infections, Septicemia, otitis media
Complications Medication Administration
CNS: seizures (high doses), GI: pseudomembranous Administer around the clock,
colitis, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting , rashes, allergic react. may be administered on full or
including Anaphylaxis and serum sickness empty stomach, taken with food
minimizes GI irritation, shake
oral suspension well before
administering, keep refrigerated
Contraindications/Precautions
Hypersensitivity to cephalosporins; serious
hypersensitivity to penicillins, use cautiously in renal
impairment, history of GI disease, espc. colitis Nursing Interventions
Observe pt of signs and symptoms of
anaphylaxis, discontinue and notify
hcp if problems occur, keep
epinephrine and resuscitation close
by, monitor bowel function, signs of
pseudomembranous colitis must be
Interactions reported promptly
Drug-drug: Probenecid lowers excretion and increases
blood levels of renally excreted cephalosporins,
concurrent use of loop diuretics or aminoglycosides may
increase risk of renal toxicity
Client Education
Instruct pt to notify hcp if fever and
diarrhea develop, esp if it contains
Evaluation of Medication Effectiveness blood, mucus or pus, do not treat
diarrhea without consulting a hcp,
Resolution of sign and symptoms of infection. decreased advise pt to finish medication
incidence of infection when used for prophylaxis completely, missed doses take asap,
do not double doses, sharing meds
may be dangerous
ACTIVE LEARNING TEMPLATES THERAPEUTIC PROCEDURE A7
