Penicillin G Administration

Ed Beatty is a 52-year-old client with a history of chronic renal insufficiency who presents to the medical clinic reporting a severe sore throat. He is diagnosed with a streptococcal pharyngitis. He is informed by the primary care provider that he will be treated with an IM injection of penicillin G. (Learning Objectives 2, 3, and 9)

1. What information should be collected from Mr. Beatty before the administration of the penicillin G?

2. Mr. Beatty asks why he cannot receive the medication in oral form. How should the nurse respond?

3. Describe the equipment that the nurse should have available before administering the medication to Mr. Beatty. Why is this necessary?

4. After receiving the penicillin G, Mr. Beatty experiences cardiac arrest. He is successfully resuscitated. Discuss the potential causes of the cardiac arrest.

5. Mr. Beatty has recovered from the arrest and the nurse is preparing his discharge teaching. What information related to the penicillin G should the nurse include?

Instructions:

1. Your discussion post should be at least 140 words. Follow APA guidelines for references.

Check our essay writing services here

APA

Answer

Discussion Post

1. Information Collection: Before administering penicillin G to Mr. Beatty, the nurse should gather key information, including his allergy history, particularly to penicillin or related antibiotics, as well as any history of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). It’s also important to assess his renal function, given his chronic renal insufficiency, and to review his current medications for potential interactions. Additionally, the nurse should inquire about his overall health status, including recent infections or treatments. Penicillin G Administration
2. Response to Oral Medication Inquiry: When Mr. Beatty asks why he cannot receive the medication orally, the nurse should explain that penicillin G is usually administered intramuscularly to ensure effective and immediate absorption, especially in severe infections like streptococcal pharyngitis. The oral form may not achieve adequate serum levels rapidly enough in acute situations.
3. Equipment Preparation: The nurse should have the following equipment ready before administering penicillin G: an appropriate size syringe (usually 1-3 mL), a needle (typically 21-25 gauge, 1-1.5 inches for IM injections), alcohol swabs for skin antisepsis, and safety disposal containers for sharps. This equipment is necessary to ensure a safe and sterile administration of the medication while minimizing the risk of infection or complications.
4. Potential Causes of Cardiac Arrest: If Mr. Beatty experiences cardiac arrest after receiving penicillin G, potential causes could include anaphylaxis due to a severe allergic reaction to the medication, electrolyte imbalances, particularly hypokalemia, or underlying cardiovascular issues exacerbated by his renal insufficiency. Rapid infusion reactions or administration errors could also contribute to such an event. Penicillin G Administration
5. Discharge Teaching: During discharge teaching, the nurse should inform Mr. Beatty about the importance of completing the full course of penicillin G as prescribed, even if symptoms improve. He should be advised to watch for signs of allergic reactions, such as hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing, and to seek immediate medical attention if these occur. Additionally, the nurse should stress the need for follow-up appointments to monitor his condition and any potential renal implications related to his treatment.

References

American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice (3rd ed.). Nursesbooks.org.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Group A Streptococcal (GAS) Disease. Retrieved from CDC.

Lefebvre, D. R., & Boucher, H. W. (2019). Pharmacology and the Nursing Process. Elsevier.