A nurse is assessing a client who has Parkinson's disease and is taking levodopa/carbidopa. The nurse observes that the client has tremors and twitching.
Which of the following medications should the nurse anticipate administering?

Choice A rationale

Blood glucose levels are not directly impacted by epoetin alfa. Epoetin alfa stimulates erythropoiesis, the production of red blood cells, and its effectiveness is assessed by parameters related to red blood cell mass and oxygen-carrying capacity, not glucose metabolism.

Choice B rationale

Iron levels are crucial to monitor when a client is receiving epoetin alfa. Epoetin alfa stimulates red blood cell production, which requires adequate iron stores for hemoglobin synthesis. Insufficient iron can limit the therapeutic response to epoetin alfa.

Choice C rationale

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels are indicators of liver function. Epoetin alfa does not have a direct hepatotoxic effect, and therefore, monitoring ALT is not a primary method to assess its effectiveness. Liver enzyme levels are not directly related to erythropoiesis.

Choice D rationale

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are indicators of thyroid function. Epoetin alfa does not directly influence thyroid hormone production or regulation, and monitoring TSH would not provide information about the medication's effectiveness in stimulating red blood cell production.

Choice E rationale

Hemoglobin levels are the primary laboratory test to monitor the effectiveness of epoetin alfa. The medication's purpose is to stimulate erythropoiesis, leading to an increase in red blood cell mass and subsequently, a rise in hemoglobin concentration (normal range for adult males: 13.5–17.5 grams/dL; for adult females: 12.0–15.5 grams/dL).

Choice A rationale

Amiodarone is known to cause various adverse effects, but ototoxicity leading to hearing impairment is not a commonly reported or significant side effect. The primary concerns with amiodarone involve pulmonary, thyroid, hepatic, and ocular toxicities. Therefore, routine hearing screenings are not a standard intervention in the care plan for clients on amiodarone.

Choice B rationale

An increase in appetite is not a recognized or common adverse effect associated with amiodarone. Amiodarone can cause gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and anorexia, but an increased appetite is not typically observed. Monitoring for such a symptom would not be a priority in the client's plan of care.

Choice C rationale

Amiodarone is extensively metabolized by the liver and is known to cause hepatotoxicity, ranging from asymptomatic transaminase elevation to severe hepatitis and cirrhosis. Therefore, periodic monitoring of liver enzyme levels (e.g., AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase) is crucial to detect early signs of liver injury and adjust treatment if necessary. Normal AST levels are typically 10-40 U/L, and ALT levels are 7-56 U/L.

Choice D rationale

While some medications can cause psychiatric disturbances, manic behavior is not a commonly reported or characteristic adverse effect of amiodarone. The central nervous system effects of amiodarone are more likely to include peripheral neuropathy, ataxia, and tremors. Monitoring for manic behavior is not a standard intervention for clients on amiodarone therapy.