Rocephin Flashcards

Rocephin Overview

• Rocephin is the brand name for the antibiotic ceftriaxone, a third-generation cephalosporin.
• It targets a wide range of infections caused by susceptible organisms.

Class and Indications

• Classified as an anti-infective medication.
• Effective in treating infections such as:
  • Skin and skin structure infections
  • Urinary and gynecologic infections
  • Respiratory tract infections
  • Meningitis and bone/joint infections
  • Intra-abdominal infections and septicemia
  • Otitis media
  • Perioperative prophylaxis
  • Lyme disease

Mechanism of Action

• Binds to the bacterial cell wall membrane, causing cell death.
• Exhibits bactericidal action, making it effective against susceptible bacteria.

Pharmacokinetics

• Ceftriaxone is partially metabolized and excreted via urine.

Side Effects

• Common side effects include:
  • Headache
  • Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Rashes, urticaria
• Serious side effects may include:
  • Agranulocytosis, bleeding complications.
  • Hemolytic anemia, lymphocytosis, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytosis.
• Other effects: hematuria, vaginal moniliasis, pain at IM site, phlebitis at IV site.

Adverse Effects

• High doses can lead to seizures.
• Risk of pseudomembranous colitis.
• Possible reactions include:
  • Anaphylaxis
  • Serum sickness
  • Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Nursing Implications

• Assess for signs of infection (vital signs, appearance of wounds, sputum, urine, stool, WBC count).
• Obtain patient history regarding previous reactions to penicillins or cephalosporins.
• Cultures should be taken before starting therapy; the first dose may be administered without results.
• Monitor for anaphylactic reactions; have emergency equipment ready.
• Observe bowel function and report significant changes.
• Check for rash frequently and discontinue if present, as it may indicate severe reactions.
• Special attention to pediatrics: assess newborns for jaundice before using ceftriaxone.
• Be aware that high doses may yield false positives on Coombs' tests.

Patient Education

• Instruct patients to complete the prescribed course to prevent resistance.
• Advise about the dangers of sharing medication.
• Warn against concurrent use of alcohol; may cause disulfiram-like reactions.
• Report any signs of superinfection or severe gastrointestinal symptoms promptly.
• Discuss use of calibrated measuring devices for liquid preparations in pediatric patients.

Boost your knowledge of Rocephin, a third-generation cephalosporin, with these flashcards. Learn important terms like its generic name and class/indications. Ideal for students in pharmacology or nursing.