After discontinuing Vancomycin and starting Mefoxin, the patient exhibits signs of confusion. What action should the nurse take?

If a patient exhibits signs of confusion after discontinuing Vancomycin and starting Mefoxin, notifying the physician about potential alcohol withdrawal is an appropriate action. Confusion can be related to various factors, and one of them may include withdrawal from alcohol, particularly if the patient has a history of alcohol use. This condition can lead to symptoms such as confusion, agitation, and disorientation, necessitating immediate medical attention.

In situations like these, timely communication with the physician is crucial to ensure that the patient receives appropriate evaluation and intervention. The physician may need to assess the patient for withdrawal symptoms and consider potential treatment options, which could include supportive care and possibly medication for withdrawal management.

While assessing for allergic reactions to Mefoxin or providing reassurance to the patient are important nursing actions, they do not directly address the immediate concern raised by the sudden onset of confusion in the context of potential alcohol withdrawal. Changing the patient's medication regimen could be considered later but should only occur based on a comprehensive evaluation by the healthcare team. Thus, alerting the physician provides the best response to manage the patient's safety and well-being in this scenario.