A charge nurse is delegating care for a group of clients. Which of the following tasks should the charge nurse assign to a licensed practical nurse?

Choice A rationale:

Headache is a common adverse effect of disulfiram when alcohol is consumed. It is part of the adverse reaction created by the drug to deter individuals from drinking. While headache is a known symptom, tinnitus is a more specific and distinctive adverse effect associated with disulfiram use.

Choice B rationale:

Hypertension is not a common adverse effect of disulfiram. Disulfiram does not directly impact blood pressure. Its primary action is to cause an adverse reaction when alcohol is consumed.

Choice C rationale:

Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is a known adverse effect of disulfiram when alcohol is ingested. Disulfiram inhibits the breakdown of acetaldehyde, leading to an accumulation of this toxic substance in the body. Tinnitus is one of the symptoms of this toxic reaction and is a significant concern in individuals taking disulfiram for alcohol use disorder.

Choice D rationale:

Insomnia is not a common adverse effect of disulfiram. Disulfiram works by creating an unpleasant reaction when alcohol is consumed, which deters individuals from drinking. This reaction does not typically manifest as insomnia.

The correct answer is:Choices c, e, g, h, and a.

Choice A rationale (Current medications): The client is taking Ibuprofen 800 mg three times daily as needed for arthritis pain.Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can cause gastrointestinal irritation, ulcers, and bleeding, especially when used at high doses or for a prolonged period12. Given the client’s symptoms of abdominal pain and a history of dark, tarry stool, the medication could be contributing to these symptoms and warrants further investigation.

Choice B rationale (Temperature): The client’s temperature is 37.5° C (99.5° F), which is within the normal range34. Therefore, it does not require immediate follow-up.

Choice C rationale (Hemoglobin and hematocrit): The client’s hemoglobin level is 9.1 g/dL, which is lower than the normal range of about 13.0 to 17.5 g/dL for adult males and 12.0 to 15.5 g/dL for adult females56.The client’s hematocrit is 27%, which is also lower than the normal range of about 38.3% to 48.6% for adult males and 35.5% to 44.9% for adult females7.Low hemoglobin and hematocrit levels can indicate anemia, which could explain the client’s reported fatigue and pale mucous membranes87.

Choice D rationale (WBC count): The client’s WBC count is 6,700/mm3, which falls within the normal range of about 4,500 to 11,000 WBCs per microliter910. Therefore, it does not require immediate follow-up.

Choice E rationale (Blood pressure): The client’s blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg, which is lower than the normal range11. Low blood pressure can cause symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, or blurred vision and requires immediate follow-up.

Choice F rationale (Respiratory rate): The client’s respiratory rate is 18 breaths per minute, which is within the normal range for adults of about 12 to 20 breaths per minute412. Therefore, it does not require immediate follow-up.

Choice G rationale (Stool results): The client’s stool tested positive for blood (Hemoccult positive), which could indicate gastrointestinal bleeding13. This finding, combined with the client’s reported abdominal pain and history of dark, tarry stool, requires immediate follow-up.

Choice H rationale (Heart rate): The client’s heart rate is 118 beats per minute, which is higher than the normal range for adults of about 60 to 100 beats per minute14.A high heart rate, or tachycardia, can be caused by factors such as stress, anxiety, physical exertion, dehydration, and certain medical conditions14. Given the client’s reported symptoms and medical history, this finding warrants immediate follow-up.