Antihelmintics
TERM
□ mebendazole (Vermox)
QUICK LOOK AT THE CHAPTER AHEAD
Worm or helmintic infections are a problem found all over the world. It is estimated that about one billion individuals have worms somewhere in their bodies.1 The worms that are commonly found in human infections are tapeworms, flukes, and roundworms. As antihelmintic drugs destroy specific worms, it is very important to correctly identify the worm causing the infection so the appropriate drug can be prescribed.
Table 15-1 Antihelmintics | ||||||
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ANTIHELMINTICS CLIENT TEACHING
Do not breast-feed.
Wash hands after touching contaminated articles.
Infected individual needs to sleep alone.
Shower often.
Washcloths, towels, bedding, and underwear should be changed often.
All medication must be taken.
Wash hands after touching contaminated articles.
Infected individual needs to sleep alone.
Shower often.
ACTIONThe action of each antihelmintic differs as it works on various metabolic processes in the specific worm. The prototype drug, mebendazole (Vermox), prevents the uptake of glucose and other nutrients, which in turn prevents reproduction and leads to cell death.
USE
The antihelmintics combat infections caused by flukes, tapeworms, and roundworms. Mebendazole (Vermox) is used to treat hookworms, pinworms, roundworms, and whipworms.
ADVERSE EFFECTS AND SIDE EFFECTS
All are pregnancy category C, except praziquental (Biltricide), which is category B.
Mebendazole (Vermox)
CNS: Dizziness
GI: Diarrhea, transient abdominal pain
Other: Fever
INTERACTIONSMebendazole (Vermox)
Concurrent use with phenytoin (Dilantin) and/or carbamazepine (Tegretol) raises metabolism of meb-endazole (Vermox).
CONTRAINDICATIONSMebendazole (Vermox)
Children
Pregnancy
Lactation
NURSING IMPLICATIONS
PART I • QUESTIONS
1. An antibiotic is ordered to be taken TID. Which of the following times would be appropriate for administration?
a. 9 am, 3 pm, 6 pm
b. 1 am, 9 am, 5 pm
c. 8 am, Noon, 4 pm
d. 6 am, Noon, 6 pm
View Answer
1. The correct answer is b. Antibiotics need to be taken around the clock at evenly spaced intervals so blood levels can be maintained. This is the only answer in which the drug would be given around the clock.
2. Which group of anti-infectives acts by inhibiting protein synthesis in the bacterial cell?
a. Fluoroquinolones
b. Sulfonamides
c. Aminoglycosides
d. Penicillins
View Answer
2. The correct answer is c. The aminoglycosides mechanism of drug action is to inhibit protein synthesis in the bacterial cell. Other anti-infectives that also act in this way are the macrolides and the tetracyclines.
3. What should the nurse be assessing in a client receiving a high dose of ticarcillin (Ticar)?
a. Serum sodium level
b. Hemoglobin
c. Serum blood glucose
d. Serum potassium level
View Answer
3. The correct answer is a. Ticarcillin (Ticar) contains sodium. The client receiving high doses of this drug should be assessed for signs of sodium overload by the nurse as well as have the serum sodium level monitored.
4. Which statement about the penicillins is FALSE? The penicillins:
a. Are considered to be the safest of all the antibiotics.
b. Decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.
c. Should be taken with citrus juices.
d. Are bactericidal.
View Answer
4. The correct answer is c. Oral penicillins should be taken with 6 to 8 ounces of water. They should not be taken with acidic fluids as these will destroy the drugs.
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