A nurse is preparing to administer levothyroxine 100 mcg PO to a client who has hypothyroidism.

Available is levothyroxine 50 mcg tablets.

How many tablets should the nurse administer?
(Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

Choice A rationale:
Edema is an objective symptom as it can be observed and measured by the nurse.
Choice B rationale:
Tachycardia is an objective symptom as it can be measured by the nurse.
Choice C rationale:
Nausea is a subjective symptom as it is reported by the patient.
Choice D rationale:
Cough is an objective symptom as it can be heard by the nurse.

Choice A rationale:

Decreased splanchnic blood flow can affect drug absorption and metabolism, but it does not directly increase the risk of gastric irritation from NSAIDs.

Choice B rationale:

Prolonged secretion of gastric acid can contribute to conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but it is not the primary factor increasing the risk of gastric irritation from NSAIDs in older adults.

Choice C rationale:

Delayed gastric emptying is the correct answer. It allows drugs to stay in contact with the stomach lining for a longer time, which can increase the risk of gastric irritation from NSAIDs.

Choice D rationale:

Loss of cells from the gastric plexus can affect gastric function, but it is not directly linked to an increased risk of gastric irritation from NSAIDs.