Renal Considerations in Vancomycin Administration

A nurse is preparing to administer the intravenous antibiotic vancomycin to a patient with a serious MRSA infection. The physician has ordered vancomycin 1 g to be infused over 1 hour. As the nurse reviews the patient's chart, she notes that the patient's serum creatinine level was 1.8 mg/dL, and they have a documented history of kidney impairment. Considering the patient's renal function and the pharmacokinetics of vancomycin, which of the following actions should the nurse take before administering the medication?