Patient was educated on the side effects of using Gentamicin as follows:
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Long term Gentamicin intake can lead to serious problems of the peripheral nerves, thus resulting in altered sensations, such as, pain and numbness, tingling, and burning sensations in the extremities.
- These altered sensations can result in disturbance in the touch, pain, temperature, and pressure sensations in the extremities, contributing towards changes in the vibration and body position sense.
- This can lead to falls and accidents, thus jeopardizing safety.
- Gentamicin use can also result in slowing down of conduction of nerve impulses, resulting in muscle weakness.
- Neuromuscular blockade
- Gentamicin can cause slowing of transmission of impulses at the neuromuscular junction.
- Impairing the transmission of impulses can result in motor weakness, twitching, and spasms.
- Pain and inflammation
- Pain and inflammation at the site of injection is most common side effect to Gentamicin use.
- Nausea and vomiting
- This is the most common side effect of Gentamicin.
- Taking the antibiotic with some food and water can minimize the effects of nausea and vomiting.
- Shallow breathing
- Slowing of the transmission of the impulses at neuromuscular junction can affect the normal respiratory pattern, thus resulting in slowing of the respirations with weak shallow breathing.
