The nurse prepares to administer a scheduled dose of labetalol PO to a client with hypertension. The client's vital signs are a temperature of 99° F (37.2° C), a heart rate of 48 beats/minute, respirations of 16 breaths/minute, and a blood pressure of 150/90 mm Hg. Which action should the nurse take?

A) A total calcium level of 5.5 mg/dL (1.4 mmol/L) is critically low, as the normal reference range for total calcium is between 9 to 10.4 mg/dL (2.3 to 2.6 mmol/L). Hypocalcemia can lead to serious complications such as tetany, arrhythmias, and seizures. Before administering methylprednisolone, which can further decrease calcium levels and contribute to osteoporosis, it is essential to notify the healthcare provider to address the client's low calcium level. This may involve correcting the calcium deficiency before proceeding with the administration of the

B) If a healthcare provider orders a calcium supplement for the client, administering it would be appropriate to help correct the hypocalcemia before administering methylprednisolone. However, in the absence of a direct order, the nurse should first notify the healthcare provider to ensure that the client's calcium levels are addressed appropriately before proceeding with any medication that could exacerbate the issue. The priority is to manage the low calcium levels before administering corticosteroids like methylprednisolone.

C) Administering methylprednisolone with a glass of milk may help with calcium absorption; however, this does not directly address the critical issue of hypocalcemia. The nurse must first prioritize notifying the healthcare provider and correcting the calcium imbalance before proceeding with medication administration.

D) Tapering the dose of methylprednisolone is not immediately appropriate based on the low calcium level alone. Methylprednisolone is often tapered to avoid withdrawal symptoms, but the nurse's first priority is to address the client's hypocalcemia, which can have more immediate clinical consequences. The focus should be on stabilizing the calcium level first.

A) Acetaminophen is metabolized by the liver, and jaundice can indicate liver dysfunction or impairment. Therefore, the nurse should notify the healthcare provider about the scheduled acetaminophen to ensure appropriate monitoring of liver function and to consider alternative pain management options.

B) Prednisone is a corticosteroid that primarily affects the immune system and inflammation and is not directly metabolized by the liver. While prednisone can have side effects related to liver function, such as hepatotoxicity, jaundice is not a common manifestation.

C) Captopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used to treat hypertension and heart failure. While it can affect renal function, jaundice is not a typical side effect of captopril.

D) Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used to reduce gastric acid production and treat conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is primarily metabolized in the liver, but jaundice is not a common side effect associated with its use.