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 ["A","C","E"]
Explanation
C. Face the client when speaking.
E. Provide the daughter with written instructions.
Choice A rationale:
Including the family in the discharge teaching is essential, especially when dealing with a client who has communication barriers such as hearing loss and illiteracy. Involving the daughter in the teaching process ensures that she is aware of the client's care needs and can provide support at home.
Choice B rationale:
Encouraging the client to attend reading classes is not a practical intervention for an older adult with hearing loss. Reading classes may not address the immediate communication needs of the client, and the client's primary caregiver, in this case, is the daughter who will provide daily care and support.
Choice C rationale:
Facing the client when speaking is a crucial intervention when dealing with someone who has hearing loss. By facing the client, the nurse ensures that the client can see their lips and facial expressions, which can aid in lip-reading and understanding the communication better.
Choice D rationale:
Speaking loudly when teaching is not always the best approach for clients with hearing loss. While it may seem intuitive to speak loudly, it can distort speech and make it more challenging for the client to understand. Clear and slow speech, along with visual cues, is often more effective.
Choice E rationale:
Providing the daughter with written instructions is essential, especially when the client has limited reading skills. Written instructions can serve as a reference guide for the daughter, helping her provide care and support to her father accurately.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Procuring platelet products from the blood bank is a task that should be performed by a licensed nurse, not an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). It involves assessing the client's needs, verifying orders, and administering the product, which require nursing judgment and skills.
Choice B rationale:
Titrating oxygen to prescribed parameters is a nursing task that requires clinical judgment, especially if the client's condition changes. UAPs do not have the training or scope of practice to adjust oxygen levels. This task should be assigned to a licensed nurse.
Choice D rationale:
Inserting a urinary catheter, even for an uncomplicated client, is a task that should be performed by a licensed nurse. It involves the potential risk of infection and injury, and it requires sterile technique and assessment of the client's condition. UAPs do not have the training or scope of practice to insert urinary catheters.
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