The nurse is administering the sixth IV dose of gentamicin to a client with extensive full thickness burns. Which assessment finding warrants further intervention?

Reference Range:

White Blood Cell [5000 to 10,000/mm3 (5 to 10 x 10 %/L)] Blood Urea Nitrogen [10 to 20 mg/dL (3.6 to 7.1 mmol/L)] Creatinine [0.5 to 1.1 mg/dL (44 to 97 µmol/L)]

Serum creatinine level of 1.6 mg/l. (141 µmol), a blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of 20 mg/dL.(7.1 mmol/L)

Reports a sore mouth and three episodes of diarrhea that began this morning.

White blood count of 9,000/mm3 (9 x 109/L) and an oral temperature of 98.2° F (36.7° C) two hours ago.

Urinary output of 400 ml of clear, amber colored urine in the past eight hours.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A. Serum creatinine level of 1.6 mg/dL (141 µmol/L), a blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of 20 mg/dL (7.1 mmol/L): Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside that is known for its nephrotoxic potential. Elevated serum creatinine and BUN levels are indicative of impaired kidney function, which warrants further investigation and possible intervention. This finding is significant because it may reflect kidney damage or reduced renal clearance of the drug.
B. Reports a sore mouth and three episodes of diarrhea that began this morning: While these symptoms are important and could suggest a possible adverse effect or secondary infection, they are not as immediately concerning in the context of gentamicin therapy as the potential for kidney damage indicated by elevated creatinine and BUN levels.
C. White blood count of 9,000/mm³ (9 x 10^9/L) and an oral temperature of 98.2°F (36.7°C) two hours ago: These values are within normal ranges and do not suggest an immediate concern related to gentamicin toxicity.
D. Urinary output of 400 mL of clear, amber-colored urine in the past eight hours: While monitoring urinary output is important, this level of output does not necessarily indicate a problem in the context of gentamicin therapy compared to elevated creatinine and BUN levels.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Hypokalemia: Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic that can cause potassium loss through increased urine production. A common side effect of thiazide diuretics is hypokalemia, which can lead to symptoms such as palpitations or the sensation of the heart skipping beats. Therefore, it is crucial to check the client’s potassium levels to determine if hypokalemia is contributing to the client's symptoms.
B. Hyponatremia: While thiazide diuretics can affect sodium levels, hypokalemia is more directly associated with the symptoms described. Hyponatremia (low sodium levels) might also occur but is less commonly linked to the symptom of a skipped heartbeat compared to hypokalemia.
C. Hyperphosphatemia: Hydrochlorothiazide is not known to cause significant changes in phosphate levels, and hyperphosphatemia is not typically associated with the sensation of skipped heartbeats.
D. Hypermagnesemia: This condition, which involves elevated magnesium levels, is not a common side effect of hydrochlorothiazide. Hypokalemia is a more relevant concern for the symptoms described.

A. Administer both prescribed medications as scheduled. B. Hold the calcium carbonate, but administer the calcitriol as scheduled. C. Hold the calcitriol, but administer the calcium carbonate as scheduled. D. Hold both medications until contacting the healthcare provider.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Administer both prescribed medications as scheduled: Given that the client's total calcium level is already elevated (14 mg/dL), administering additional calcium carbonate could exacerbate hypercalcemia. Calcitriol, a form of vitamin D, can also increase calcium levels, so administering it without addressing the high calcium level could worsen the condition.
B. Hold the calcium carbonate, but administer the calcitriol as scheduled: This option is not appropriate because calcitriol can further increase calcium levels, potentially worsening hypercalcemia. Both medications should be reviewed, and their administration should be adjusted according to the client's current calcium status.
C. Hold the calcitriol, but administer the calcium carbonate as scheduled: Holding calcitriol alone would not address the potential for further increasing calcium levels. Calcium carbonate should also be withheld since the client is already hypercalcemic.
D. Hold both medications until contacting the healthcare provider: This is the most appropriate action. The client's elevated calcium level indicates hypercalcemia, which requires careful management. The healthcare provider should be contacted to assess the situation and determine the appropriate course of action to avoid worsening hypercalcemia.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

During a home visit, a client informs the nurse about feeling like the heart is skipping beats. When reviewing the client's record, the nurse notes that the client is taking hydrochlorothiazide. Based on these assessment data, the nurse plans to obtain a blood sample to check for which condition?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Prior to administering oral doses of calcitriol and calcium carbonate to a client with hypoparathyroidism, the nurse notes that the client's total calcium level is 14 mg/dl (3.5 mmol/l) Which action should the nurse implement? Reference Range: Calcium 8.5 to 10.5 mg/dL (2.25 to 2.75 mmol/L)

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

When preparing to apply a scheduled fentanyl transdermal patch, the nurse notes that the previously applied patch is intact on the client's upper back and the client denies pain. Which action should the nurse take?

A client is receiving morphine sulfate via a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump postoperatively. Which assessment finding should prompt the nurse to administer a prescribed PRN dose of naloxone?

Which instruction should the nurse include when teaching a client about self-administration of a bulk-forming laxative?

When administering ceftriaxone sodium IV to a client before surgery, which assessment finding requires immediate intervention by the nurse?

A client is using the nasal spray hormone calcitonin to reduce bone loss from osteoporosis. To reduce rhinitis associated with administration of the nasal spray, the nurse should provide the client with which instruction?

The nurse is preparing to administer warfarin sodium 10 mg PO to a client whose international normalized ratio (INR) is 5.0. Which intervention should the nurse implement? Reference Range: International 1 normalized ratio (INR) [INR: 0.8 to 1.1]

A client with hepatic encephalopathy is receiving lactulose. Which assessment provides the nurse with the best information to evaluate the client's therapeutic response to the medication?