A patient with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is no longer responding to the medication vancomycin (Vancocin). The nurse realizes that this patient is most likely demonstrating which condition?

Question

1. A superinfection
2. VISA
3. VRE
4. PRSP

Answer 1

2
Rationale 1: There is nothing here to suggest the patient has a superinfection.
Rationale 2: Vancomycin (Vancocin) has been the only uniformly effective drug for MRSA; however, in 1997, a new form of S. aureus emerged with intermediate resistance to vancomycin and is known as vancomycin intermediate-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VISA).
Rationale 3: VRE are vancomycin-resistant organisms, not a condition caused by S. aureus.
Rationale 4: PRSP are penicillin-resistant organisms, not a condition caused by S. aureus.