What additional nursing action is essential when a patient is receiving acyclovir intravenously?

Encouraging increased fluid intake is essential when a patient is receiving acyclovir intravenously because adequate hydration helps to prevent nephrotoxicity, which can occur with this medication. Acyclovir is renally excreted, and increased fluid intake promotes adequate urine flow, thereby reducing the risk of crystallization in the kidneys and urinary tract. This is particularly important since the drug can cause kidney damage when not properly hydrated.

While other actions may be applicable in certain situations, the focus on hydration stands out as a critical nursing responsibility to ensure the patient’s safety and efficacy of the treatment. For example, limiting oral intake or administering the medication with food is not necessary with acyclovir, as its absorption is not significantly affected by food, and monitoring temperature alone does not address the risk of nephrotoxicity.