Before administering the evening dose of carbamazepine, the nurse notes that the patient’s morning carbamazepine level was 84 mcg/mL. What action should the nurse take?

Notify the healthcare provider of the carbamazepine level.

Administer the carbamazepine as prescribed.

Withhold this dose of the carbamazepine.

Assess the patient for side effects of carbamazepine.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

The correct answer is A:

Choice A reason: Notifying the healthcare provider is crucial because the patient’s carbamazepine level is significantly above the therapeutic range, which is 4-12 mcg/mL. A level of 84 mcg/mL indicates a high risk of toxicity, and the healthcare provider must be informed to take appropriate action, which may include adjusting the dose or discontinuing the medication.

Choice B reason: Administering the carbamazepine as prescribed would not be safe without addressing the elevated drug level. Continuing to administer the medication could increase the risk of severe side effects and toxicity due to the already high serum level.

Choice C reason: Withholding the dose may be a necessary immediate action, but it does not address the need for medical intervention to manage the patient’s elevated drug level. Therefore, while withholding the dose might be part of the response, it should follow notifying the healthcare provider.

Choice D reason: Assessing the patient for side effects is important, but it is not the most immediate action required. The priority is to notify the healthcare provider because of the potential for serious toxicity given the high carbamazepine level.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is not typically a side effect of piperacillin-tazobactam. While it’s important to monitor a client’s blood pressure during any infusion, hypertension alone would not typically be a reason to stop the infusion of piperacillin-tazobactam.

Choice B rationale

A scratchy throat could be a sign of an allergic reaction to piperacillin-tazobactam. Allergic reactions to medications can range from mild to severe, and can include symptoms such as hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling in the face or throat. If a client reports a scratchy throat shortly after starting an infusion of piperacillin-tazobactam, it would be prudent for the nurse to stop the infusion and assess the client for other signs of an allergic reaction.

Choice C rationale

Bradycardia, or a slow heart rate, is not typically a side effect of piperacillin-tazobactam. While it’s important to monitor a client’s heart rate during any infusion, bradycardia alone would not typically be a reason to stop the infusion of piperacillin-tazobactam.

Choice D rationale

Pupillary constriction is not typically a side effect of piperacillin-tazobactam. While it’s important to monitor a client’s pupils during any infusion, pupillary constriction alone would not typically be a reason to stop the infusion of piperacillin-tazobactam.

A. One hour after completion of the IV dose and one hour before the next administration of the medication. B. Two hours after completion of the IV dose and two hours before the next administration of the medication. C. Thirty minutes into the administration of the IV dose and 30 minutes before the next administration of the medication. D. Immediately after completion of the IV dose and 30 minutes before the next administration of the medication.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The correct answer is D. Immediately after completion of the IV dose and 30 minutes before the next administration of the medication.

Explanation:

Peak levels measure the highest concentration of the drug in the bloodstream and should be drawn immediately after the IV infusion is completed.
Trough levels measure the lowest concentration of the drug and should be drawn 30 minutes before the next scheduled dose. This helps ensure the drug remains within therapeutic levels and prevents toxicity.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. One hour after completion of the IV dose and one hour before the next administration – Waiting one hour for the peak level is too long and may lead to an inaccurate measurement.
B. Two hours after completion of the IV dose and two hours before the next administration – Waiting two hours for both peak and trough levels is too late for effective monitoring.
C. Thirty minutes into the administration of the IV dose and 30 minutes before the next administration – The sample drawn mid-infusion does not represent peak levels, making this method ineffective.

Key takeaway:

Proper timing of vancomycin peak and trough monitoring ensures therapeutic drug levels while minimizing nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity.

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Before administering the evening dose of carbamazepine, the nurse notes that the patient’s morning carbamazepine level was 84 mcg/mL. What action should the nurse take?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse initiates an infusion of piperacillin-tazobactam for a client with a urinary tract infection. Five minutes into the infusion, the client reports not feeling well.Which client manifestation should the nurse identify as a reason to stop the infusion?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A client is receiving intravenous vancomycin, and the nurse plans to draw blood for a peak and trough to determine the serum level of the drug. Which collection times would provide the best determination of these levels?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Explanation:

Why the other options are incorrect:

Key takeaway:

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