A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who is taking amitriptyline. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse report to the provider?
Total bilirubin 1.5 mg/dL
Potassium 4.2 mEq/L
WBC count 5,000/mm³
Hct 44
The Correct Answer is A
A. The nurse should report the Total bilirubin 1.5 mg/dL to the provider.
Amitriptyline is an antidepressant medication, and elevated total bilirubin levels can indicate potential liver dysfunction or impairment. It's important to report any significant changes in liver function values to the provider, especially when a client is taking medications that can affect liver metabolism. The other laboratory values mentioned are within normal ranges and would not typically be of concern in the context of amitriptyline use.
B. Potassium 4.2 mEq/L:
This value is within the normal range. Potassium levels of 4.2 mEq/L are considered normal. While potassium levels are important to monitor, this result does not indicate a need for immediate reporting.
C. WBC count 5,000/mm³:
This value is within the normal range. A white blood cell (WBC) count of 5,000/mm³ is within the typical range. It suggests a normal immune response and does not require reporting.
D. Hct 44: This value is incorrect. The hematocrit (Hct) value of 44 is not accompanied by the unit of measurement (percentage or fraction). Hematocrit values measure the proportion of red blood cells in the blood and are usually reported as a percentage. If this value is indeed 44%, it falls within a normal range for both men and women. However, if the unit is different (such as a 44% fraction), it might be an incorrect unit conversion. The nurse should verify the unit of measurement and report any discrepancies or errors to the provider for clarification.

Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. The nurse who identifies the error:
This choice is correct. When a medication error is identified, the nurse who discovers the error is responsible for completing an incident report. Incident reports are a formal way to document any unexpected or adverse events that occur in a healthcare setting, including medication errors. The report helps track incidents, analyze their causes, and implement preventive measures. It's important for the reporting nurse to provide accurate and detailed information about the error.
B. The Quality Improvement Committee:
This choice is incorrect. While the Quality Improvement (QI) Committee plays a role in analyzing trends, identifying areas for improvement, and developing strategies to enhance patient care quality, they are not typically responsible for completing individual incident reports. The responsibility for reporting and documenting a specific incident, such as a medication error, lies with the staff members directly involved.
C. The charge nurse:
This choice is incorrect. The charge nurse is responsible for overseeing the nursing unit's operations, including staffing and patient care coordination. While the charge nurse may be involved in addressing the situation and ensuring appropriate actions are taken following a medication error, they are not necessarily responsible for completing the incident report. The reporting responsibility usually falls on the nurse who identifies the error.
D. The nurse who caused the error:
This choice is incorrect. While it's important for the nurse who caused the error to communicate the error to appropriate parties and participate in any necessary corrective actions, the primary responsibility for completing the incident report usually lies with the nurse who identifies the error. The reporting nurse's perspective is crucial for understanding the context and details of the error.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D"]
Explanation
A. Multiple health problems: Older adults often have multiple chronic health conditions, which can increase the risk of interactions between medications or exacerbate the effects of certain drugs.
B. Decreased renal function: As people age, their kidney function tends to decrease, which can affect the clearance of drugs from the body. Drugs that are primarily excreted through the kidneys may accumulate in older adults with reduced renal function.
C. Polypharmacy: Older adults are more likely to be taking multiple medications simultaneously. This increases the risk of drug interactions and adverse effects.
D. Decreased percentage of body fat: With age, there is a decrease in lean body mass and an increase in body fat. Fat-soluble drugs can accumulate in body fat, leading to prolonged drug effects and increased risk of toxicity.
E. Increased rate of absorption: Aging can lead to changes in gastrointestinal function, including reduced gastric motility and decreased blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract. These changes may result in delayed drug absorption rather than an increased rate of absorption.
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