The nurse is providing counseling to a woman who is HIV positive and has just discovered that she is pregnant.
Which anti-HIV drug is given to HIV-infected pregnant women to prevent transmission of the virus to the infant?

Choice A rationale:

Shortness of breath is a common symptom of a hypersensitivity reaction. This occurs because the body’s immune system responds to a foreign substance, known as an antigen, by producing specific antibodies. This immune response can cause inflammation and swelling in various parts of the body, including the airways, leading to shortness of breath.

Choice B rationale:

A black hairy tongue is not typically associated with a hypersensitivity reaction. It is a condition that causes the tongue to appear black and hairy, and it’s usually caused by an overgrowth of bacteria or yeast on the tongue. It’s not related to allergies or hypersensitivity reactions.

Choice C rationale:

Itching is another common symptom of a hypersensitivity reaction. When the body encounters an antigen, it triggers an immune response that releases chemicals like histamine. Histamine can cause itching, among other symptoms.

Choice D rationale:

Swelling of the tongue can be a symptom of a severe hypersensitivity reaction known as anaphylaxis. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. The swelling is caused by inflammation in response to an antigen.

Choice E rationale:

Wheezing is a symptom of a hypersensitivity reaction, specifically type I hypersensitivity. This type of reaction includes allergic disorders, which affect the lungs among other parts of the body. The immune response to an antigen can cause the airways to narrow and produce a wheezing sound.

Choice A rationale:

Holding the drug and administering it 4 hours later is not the appropriate action. The trough vancomycin level of 24 mcg/mL is higher than the recommended range of 10-20 mcg/mL, indicating potential risk for toxicity. Administering the drug later does not address the immediate concern of a high trough level.

Choice B rationale:

Administering the vancomycin as ordered is not the correct action in this case. The trough level is above the recommended range, which could lead to vancomycin toxicity. The nurse should not administer the medication without addressing the high trough level. Choice C rationale:

This is the correct action. The nurse should hold the drug and notify the prescriber because the trough vancomycin level is higher than the recommended range. The prescriber can then make a decision based on this information, which may include adjusting the dose, extending the dosing interval, or ordering additional tests.

Choice D rationale:

While repeating the test to verify results might be done eventually, it should not be the immediate next step. The nurse has a responsibility to ensure patient safety, and with a trough level above the recommended range, the priority is to prevent potential toxicity. Therefore, the nurse should hold the drug and notify the prescriber.