The nurse is caring for a client newly diagnosed with emphysema. The nurse should prioritize which potential complication?

Delegation involves assigning tasks to individuals who have the appropriate skills and competence to perform them safely and effectively. Inserting urinary catheters for uncomplicated clients is a task that can be delegated to a practical nurse. It is a common procedure within the scope of practice for a practical nurse, and it does not require the level of assessment and critical thinking involved in evaluating and updating plans of care or receiving a postoperative client and conducting an assessment.

Verifying the readiness of clients for discharge typically involves comprehensive assessments, coordination with other healthcare professionals, and decision-making regarding the appropriateness of discharge. This task is generally performed by registered nurses (RNs) or other members of the healthcare team with advanced training.

Evaluating and updating plans of care for clients is a responsibility that falls within the scope of practice of registered nurses. It requires a higher level of assessment, clinical judgment, and decision-making, which are typically beyond the scope of practice of a practical nurse.

Receiving a postoperative client and conducting the assessment involves comprehensive assessment skills and critical thinking, which are typically within the scope of practice of a registered nurse or an advanced practice nurse.

The property of the drugs that, if shared by both, indicates a need to closely monitor the client for drug toxicity is:

Highly protein bound.

When a drug is highly protein bound, it means that a significant portion of the drug molecules bind to proteins in the bloodstream. This binding can affect the availability and distribution of the drug in the body. If two drugs are highly protein bound and administered together, they may compete for binding sites on the proteins, leading to increased levels of unbound (free) drug in the bloodstream. This can result in higher drug concentrations and an increased risk of drug toxicity.

Closely monitoring the client for drug toxicity is necessary when drugs are highly protein bound because there is a potential for increased drug levels and associated adverse effects. Monitoring for signs and symptoms of drug toxicity, as well as routine laboratory tests to assess liver and kidney function, may be necessary in these cases.

The other properties listed do not necessarily indicate a need for closer monitoring for drug toxicity:

• Low bioavailability refers to the fraction of an administered dose that reaches the systemic circulation in an active form. While low bioavailability can affect the effectiveness of a drug, it does not directly imply a need for closer monitoring for drug toxicity.
• Short half-life refers to the time it takes for half of the drug concentration in the body to be eliminated. While drugs with short half-lives may require more frequent dosing, this property does not inherently suggest a need for closer monitoring for drug toxicity.
• High therapeutic index indicates a wide margin of safety for a drug, meaning that the effective dose is significantly lower than the toxic dose. A high therapeutic index implies that the drug has a wide safety margin and is less likely to cause drug toxicity.