The nurse is preparing to administer the first dose of an antibiotic to a patient admitted for pneumonia. What is the most important action to take prior to administering the antibiotic?

Choice A rationale
A persistent cough is not directly related to the administration of famotidine. Famotidine is a histamine-2 blocker that works by decreasing the amount of acid the stomach produces. It is used to treat and prevent ulcers in the stomach and intestines and to treat conditions in which the stomach produces too much acid. A persistent cough could be a symptom of many other conditions, but it is not a direct indicator of the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of famotidine.
Choice B rationale
The absence of a sour taste in the mouth, often associated with acid reflux, could suggest that famotidine is working as it should. However, the absence of a sour taste does not definitively indicate that the medication has had its intended effect, as the patient may not have experienced this symptom even before taking the medication.
Choice C rationale
Famotidine is used to decrease the amount of acid in the stomach. A normal stomach pH is typically around 1.5 to 3.5, which is highly acidic. If a patient’s stomach pH is measured at 5, which is less acidic than normal, it could suggest that the famotidine has not had its intended effect of reducing stomach acid.
Choice D rationale
While headaches are listed as a common side effect of famotidine, the presence of headaches does not necessarily suggest that the medication has not had its intended effect. Headaches could be caused by a variety of factors and are not a direct indicator of the level of stomach acid or the effectiveness of famotidine.

Choice A rationale
While continuous pulse oximetry can provide useful information about a patient’s oxygen saturation levels, it is not the most crucial step before administering amphotericin B. Amphotericin B is an antifungal medication used to treat serious, potentially life-threatening fungal infections. It does not directly affect oxygen saturation levels.
Choice B rationale
The rate at which amphotericin B is administered can be important, as the medication must be given slowly through an IV infusion, which can take from 2 to 6 hours to complete. However, setting the IV pump to deliver the medication over a specific span of time is not the most crucial step before administration.
Choice C rationale
Continuous cardiac monitoring can be important in certain situations, but it is not the most crucial step before administering amphotericin B. While amphotericin B can cause some side effects related to the heart, such as changes in heart rate or blood pressure, these are not typically the primary concerns before administration.
Choice D rationale
Evaluating the patient’s sodium and calcium levels is the most crucial step before administering amphotericin B. Amphotericin B can cause changes in electrolyte levels, including sodium and calcium. Monitoring these levels can help prevent potential complications, making this the most crucial step before administration.