Nursing 213

N213: Health Differences Across the Lifespan 3 Study Guide Give antibiotics per MD order: o Erythromycin: First line drug therapy for legionnaire’s disease; Has long treatment duration but most effective o Azithromycin (Zithromax): Same class as erythromycin with shorter duration needed; less side effects and levels of this drug stay elevated for up to 60 days in the body o Clarithromycin (Biaxin): Another drug in the same class as erythromycin; high incidence of side effects o Rifampin: Drug normally used for tuberculosis but effective against L. pneumophila o Trimethoprim sulfa (Bactrim) : Sulfa drug that has been found to be effective against legionnaire’s disease • Be prepared to assist MD with intubation if necessary • Teach patient to turn, cough and deep breath often • Keep patients head and chest elevated • Keep air humidified • Give patient chest percussion to help loosensecretions Expected outcomes for legionnaires’ disease: • Demonstrates ability to maintain oxygen saturations above 95% • Demonstrates medication compliance and knowledge of medication schedule • Verbalizes relief of symptoms • Demonstrates ability to tolerate increased activity levels • Verbalizes knowledge of disease and disease transmission •

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