A client is prescribed milk of magnesia.

After reviewing the client’s lab results, which potential electrolyte imbalance is the nurse concerned about?

Choice A rationale
T3 and T4 are thyroid hormones. While it’s important to monitor these levels in a patient on propylthiouracil therapy, they are not the most concerning lab value.
Choice B rationale
The white blood cell count should be the nurse’s primary concern. Propylthiouracil can cause agranulocytosis, a serious condition characterized by a decrease in the number of white blood cells, which can lead to infection.
Choice C rationale
Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are important to monitor, but they are not the most concerning lab value in this context.
Choice D rationale
While it’s important to monitor platelet count in a patient on propylthiouracil therapy, it’s not the most concerning lab value.

Choice A rationale
While collecting a urine sample can be important in diagnosing certain conditions, it is not the most important action to take prior to administering an antibiotic for pneumonia.
Choice B rationale
Ensuring the patient is on a cardiac monitor is not the most crucial action prior to administering an antibiotic for pneumonia. While it’s important to monitor the patient’s vital signs, it’s not specifically related to the administration of antibiotics.
Choice C rationale
Collecting a blood culture sample is the most important action to take prior to administering an antibiotic for pneumonia. This is to identify the specific bacteria causing the infection, which can help in selecting the most effective antibiotic.
Choice D rationale
Checking baseline vital signs, including temperature, is important but not the most crucial action prior to administering an antibiotic for pneumonia. It’s part of the overall assessment but does not directly impact the choice or effectiveness of the antibiotic.