A client diagnosed with glaucoma receives a new prescription for dorzolamide. Prior to administering the medication, the nurse should review the electronic medical record for which allergy?

A. Palpate the client's suprapubic area for distention: Palpating for bladder distention helps determine if urinary retention is present, which is common in older men with possible benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Assessing retention is a priority because unresolved urinary obstruction can lead to hydronephrosis or kidney damage.

B. Instruct in effective techniques to cleanse the glans penis: Proper hygiene is important for preventing infection, especially in uncircumcised males, but it does not address the client’s primary problem of urinary retention and obstructive symptoms.

C. Obtain a urine specimen for culture and sensitivity: While urinary tract infections can occur in clients with urinary retention, the presenting symptoms here are more indicative of obstruction due to prostate enlargement. A culture may be ordered later, but not the first step.

D. Advise the client to maintain a voiding diary for one week: A voiding diary provides helpful long-term information about urinary patterns, but it does not address the acute issue of a bladder that may be distended and retaining urine.

Rationale for correct choices:

• Anemia: The client’s hemoglobin (9.3 g/dL) and hematocrit (30%) are both below normal, which indicates a reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, consistent with anemia.

• Blood loss: The abdominal hematoma, distension, and need for fluid bolus suggest internal bleeding after trauma, leading to a significant drop in hemoglobin and hematocrit.

• Hemodilution from intravenous fluids: The client received large volumes of IV fluids (bolus and maintenance infusion), which dilute circulating red blood cells, worsening the anemia picture.

Rationale for incorrect choices:

• Acidosis: No arterial blood gas (ABG) results are available yet, so there is no evidence to confirm a metabolic or respiratory acidosis at this stage.

• Hypovolemia: The client initially showed low blood pressure and tachycardia, but stabilization with fluids improved her vitals; the lab values specifically indicate anemia, not pure hypovolemia.

• Disseminated intravascular coagulation: PT and PTT are within normal limits, with no signs of uncontrolled clotting or bleeding, so DIC is not supported.

• Rh factor sensitization: The client is B+, but there is no mention of pregnancy or transfusion reactions that would trigger Rh-related hemolysis.

• Pregnancy: No history, findings, or labs indicate pregnancy, so this option is unrelated to the client’s current trauma and blood results.

• Hypoxia: Oxygen saturation remains 98–100% on mechanical ventilation, showing adequate oxygenation despite anemia.

• Blood administration: While the client may need transfusion, labs reflect anemia caused by blood loss and hemodilution, not from receiving blood products.

• Immune response: There are no clinical or laboratory findings of immune-mediated destruction of red cells or inflammation causing the anemia.

• Clotting cascade: Normal PT and PTT show the coagulation pathway is intact, ruling out clotting disorders as the cause of low hemoglobin and hematocrit.

• Hypoventilation: The client is mechanically ventilated with normal oxygenation, and there is no evidence of hypoventilation contributing to her anemia.