The nurse gives medication to a patient with a history of liver disease. The nurse will monitor this patient for

A. Complete blood count (CBC) and serum glucose levels are important for overall health monitoring but do not specifically assess drug metabolism or excretion, which are key factors in drug toxicity.

B. Pancreatic enzymes and urinalysis are useful for detecting pancreatic disorders and infections but are not primary indicators of drug toxicity.

C. Serum creatinine and liver function tests (LFTs) are critical for monitoring drug toxicity, especially in older adults. The kidneys and liver are responsible for drug metabolism and excretion. Impaired kidney function, indicated by elevated serum creatinine, can lead to drug accumulation and toxicity. Abnormal LFTs suggest liver dysfunction, which can affect drug metabolism and increase toxicity risk.

D. Serum lipids and electrolytes are important for cardiovascular and metabolic health but do not directly assess drug metabolism or toxicity risk.

a. The first priority when administering medication is to ensure the right patient is receiving the correct drug. This follows the "rights" of medication administration, which include right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, and right time. Identifying the patient prevents medication errors.

b. Documentation is essential but should occur after administering the medication, not before confirming the correct patient and drug.

c. Rechecking the medication label is important, but it should be done before reaching the patient’s bedside. Once at the bedside, patient identification takes priority.

d. Obtaining orange juice may be necessary if the medication requires it, but ensuring the right patient receives the correct medication is the most critical initial step.