A charge nurse notices that one of the nurses on the shift frequently violates unit policies by taking an extended amount of time for break. Which of the following statements should the charge nurse make to address this conflict?

An antibiotic that can cause nephrotoxicity is an antibiotic that can damage the kidneys, which are the organs that filter the blood and remove waste products and excess fluid from the body. Some examples of nephrotoxic antibiotics are aminoglycosides, vancomycin, amphotericin B, and sulfonamides.

Serum creatinine is a laboratory value that measures the amount of creatinine in the blood. Creatinine is a waste product that is produced by the breakdown of muscle tissue and is normally excreted by the kidneys. A high serum creatinine level indicates that the kidneys are not functioning properly and are unable to filter out the creatinine from the blood.

Before administering an antibiotic that can cause nephrotoxicity, it is important for the practical nurse (PN) to review the serum creatinine level of the client, as it reflects the kidney function and the risk of nephrotoxicity. A normal serum creatinine level ranges from 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL for men and 0.5 to 1.1 mg/dL for women. If the serum creatinine level is elevated, it may indicate that the client has impaired kidney function or is developing nephrotoxicity from the antibiotic. In this case, the PN should notify the primary healthcare provider and monitor the client for signs and symptoms of nephrotoxicity, such as decreased urine output, edema, hypertension, or electrolyte imbalances .

A. Initiate contact precautions for the client upon admission. This is incorrect because contact precautions are not sufficient to prevent the spread of TB, which is an airborne disease that can travel through small droplets in the air.

B. Restrict visitors from entering the client's room during hospitalization. This is incorrect because visitors can enter the client's room as long as they wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as an N95 respirator, gown, gloves, and eye protection.

C. Wear a surgical mask while providing care for the client. This is incorrect because a surgical mask does not filter out small airborne particles that carry TB bacteria. The nurse should wear an N95 respirator or higher level of respiratory protection when caring for a client who has active TB.

D. Have the client wear a surgical mask while being transported outside the room. This is correct because a surgical mask can reduce the amount of droplets that are expelled by the client when coughing or sneezing, thus minimizing the risk of infecting others in common areas or hallways.