You are caring for a patient who takes an antiarrhythmic agent.
What would be the priority nursing assessment before administering this drug?

Choice A rationale

While a complete blood count (CBC) is an essential lab value for monitoring many conditions and potential side effects, it is not the primary concern when administering high doses of azithromycin, especially with co-administration of acetaminophen. The focus should be on liver function.

Choice B rationale

Urinalysis is useful in diagnosing and monitoring various conditions but is not directly relevant to monitoring the side effects of azithromycin and acetaminophen. These medications do not typically cause urinary abnormalities that would necessitate frequent urinalysis.

Choice C rationale

Electrolytes are not directly affected by azithromycin and acetaminophen use. Although monitoring electrolytes can be essential in broader contexts, these specific medications do not primarily impact electrolyte balance requiring focused monitoring.

Choice D rationale

Liver enzymes are the key lab values to monitor when administering high doses of azithromycin and acetaminophen. Both medications are metabolized by the liver and can cause hepatotoxicity. Monitoring liver enzymes helps in detecting early signs of liver damage and preventing further complications.

Choice A rationale

A patient 3 days after surgery may still require higher doses of opioids for pain management, but the duration and intensity of postoperative pain typically decrease over time. This patient may not necessarily require a higher-than-expected dose compared to others.

Choice B rationale

Patients with cancer often experience severe and chronic pain due to the disease itself or its treatments. These patients may develop tolerance to opioids over time, necessitating higher-than-expected doses to achieve adequate pain relief.

Choice C rationale

Hypotension is a contraindication for high doses of opioids, as opioids can cause further blood pressure reduction. This patient would require careful dose adjustment to avoid exacerbating hypotension.

Choice D rationale

Patients with a concussion are at risk of altered mental status and respiratory depression from opioids. Therefore, higher doses are generally avoided to prevent worsening of these conditions.