Before administering an antibiotic that can cause nephrotoxicity, which laboratory value is most important for the practical nurse (PN) to review?
Serum calcium
Serum creatinine
Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
White blood cell count (WBC)
The Correct Answer is B
Serum creatinine is the most important laboratory value to review before administering an antibiotic that can cause nephrotoxicity. Nephrotoxicity is an alteration in the function of the kidney due to exposure to certain drugs or toxins.
It can be assessed by measuring the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which is the rate of clearance of a substance from the blood by the kidneys. Serum creatinine is a waste product of muscle metabolism that is freely filtered by the glomeruli and not reabsorbed or secreted by the tubules.
Therefore, it is a reliable indicator of GFR and renal function. An increase in serum creatinine indicates a decrease in GFR and renal function, which may be caused by nephrotoxic drugs.
The other laboratory values are not directly related to nephrotoxicity or GFR:
- Serum calcium: This may be affected by renal function, but it is not a sensitive or specific marker of nephrotoxicity. It may be altered by other factors such as vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and bone metabolism.
- Hemoglobin and hematocrit: These may be affected by renal function, but they are not sensitive or specific markers of nephrotoxicity. They may reflect the erythropoietin production by the kidneys, which stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow. However, they may also be influenced by other factors such as blood loss, hydration status, and iron deficiency.
- White blood cell count (WBC): This is not related to nephrotoxicity or GFR. It may reflect the presence of infection or inflammation, which may be a cause or a consequence of renal impairment, but it is not a direct measure of renal function.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Observing body language and movement is a valuable method for assessing pain, but it may not provide a comprehensive understanding of the client's pain experience. Clients may have different ways of expressing pain, and verbal communication should also be considered.
Choice B rationale:
Identifying effective pain relief measures is relevant but does not assess the quality of the pain itself. It focuses on pain management rather than pain assessment.
Choice C rationale:
Providing a numeric pain scale is a useful tool for quantifying pain intensity, but it does not assess the quality of pain, which is essential for understanding the nature of migraine headaches.
Choice D rationale:
Asking the client to describe the pain is the most appropriate approach for assessing the quality of pain. It allows the client to express the characteristics of the pain, such as its location, intensity, duration, and any associated symptoms, which can aid in diagnosis and treatment planning.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Addiction involves a dependence on a substance or behavior that leads to withdrawal symptoms when the substance or behavior is discontinued. The client's handwashing behavior is not related to addiction.
Choice B rationale:
Phobia refers to an irrational and intense fear of a specific object or situation. While the client's avoidance of sitting on chairs in the day area may be related to anxiety, it does not represent a specific phobia.
Choice C rationale:
Compulsion is the correct answer because the client's handwashing ritual is an example of compulsive behavior. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that a person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rigid rules. In this case, the client is compelled to engage in the ritual to alleviate anxiety or distress.
Choice D rationale:
Obsession refers to persistent and intrusive thoughts, urges, or images that cause distress and anxiety. While the client's handwashing ritual may be related to obsessive thoughts about cleanliness, the primary clinical behavior being exhibited is the compulsive handwashing itself.
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