The nurse is caring for a patient receiving vancomycin. The nurse is aware the medication should be adminstered over 2 hours. What is the major adverse effect associated with rapid infusion of vancomycin?

A. Gastrointestinal bleeding: Vancomycin does not typically cause GI bleeding. Its adverse effects are mostly related to infusion reactions and nephrotoxicity rather than direct irritation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract. Monitoring for bleeding is not a primary concern. B. Red man syndrome: Rapid infusion of vancomycin can cause Red Man Syndrome, characterized by flushing, rash, hypotension, and pruritus due to histamine release. Administering the drug over at least 2 hours helps prevent this reaction and ensures patient safety during treatment. C. Hypertension: Vancomycin infusion is not associated with elevated blood pressure. In fact, Red Man Syndrome can cause hypotension, not hypertension, making this option inconsistent with the known adverse effects of rapid administration. D. Nausea and vomiting: While gastrointestinal discomfort may occasionally occur, nausea and vomiting are not the major concern related to rapid vancomycin infusion. The primary risk is histamine-mediated infusion reaction rather than direct GI effects.