A patient has been newly prescribed gentamicin 120mg, IM, once.

After reviewing the patient’s home medication list, which medication should the nurse be most concerned about?

Choice A rationale
Diverticulosis is a condition where small pouches, called diverticula, form in the wall of the colon. While it can cause discomfort and complications, it is not a contraindication for laxative use. Laxatives can actually help prevent constipation, which can exacerbate diverticulosis.
Choice B rationale
High ammonia levels due to liver failure can cause serious health problems, including hepatic encephalopathy, a decline in brain function. However, it is not directly related to the use of laxatives. Laxatives work primarily in the colon, not the liver.
Choice C rationale
Abdominal pain of unknown origin could be a sign of a serious condition, such as an intestinal obstruction or appendicitis. Using a laxative could worsen these conditions. Therefore, it’s important to identify the cause of the abdominal pain before using a laxative.
Choice D rationale
Chronic constipation is often treated with laxatives. They work by softening the stool or stimulating the bowel to pass stool. Therefore, chronic constipation is not a contraindication for laxative use.

Choice A rationale
Infusing the medication slowly over a period of 60-90 minutes is a common practice for many intravenous medications to prevent adverse reactions. However, this is not the first step a nurse should take before administering intravenous acyclovir.
Choice B rationale
While diluting certain medications in a liter of normal saline can be a part of the preparation process, it is not the first step a nurse should take before administering intravenous acyclovir.
Choice C rationale
Checking the intravenous site for any signs of redness, heat, or swelling is the correct first step before administering any intravenous medication. This is to ensure that the IV site is not infected or inflamed, which could lead to complications such as phlebitis or infiltration.
Choice D rationale
Examining the patient for any open herpetic lesions is important when administering acyclovir, as the medication is used to treat herpes infections. However, this is not the first step a nurse should take before administering the medication.