A client reports experiencing numbness and tingling in the extremities. Which of the client's serum laboratory values should the practical nurse (PN) prioritize reporting to the healthcare provider?

Verifying the completion of all new prescriptions is crucial because it ensures that necessary medications or treatments are not delayed or missed for the clients. By reviewing the new prescriptions, the PN can ensure that any necessary medications or treatments are ordered and completed as required. This task takes priority because it directly impacts the immediate care and well-being of the clients.
While the other tasks mentioned are also important, they are not as time-sensitive or critical as verifying the completion of new prescriptions:
A. "Clean up and organize the nurses' work-station": While maintaining a clean and organized work-station is important for efficiency and safety, it can be done after the more critical tasks have been completed.
B. "Write a narrative shift summary for each client": Providing shift summaries is important for effective communication and continuity of care, but it can be done after ensuring the completion of new prescriptions, as it involves documenting and reviewing the events and assessments that occurred during the shift.
C. "Calculate and record intake and output totals": Tracking intake and output is important for assessing fluid balance, but it can also be done after verifying the completion of new prescriptions, as it involves documenting and calculating fluid volumes.

This is the correct answer because it is the best way to assess for signs of ototoxicity, which is a potential adverse effect of aminoglycosides. Ototoxicity is the damage or injury to the inner ear or auditory nerve caused by certain drugs or chemicals. It can result in hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, or balance problems. Aminoglycosides are a class of antibiotics that are effective against gram-negative bacteria, but they can also cause ototoxicity by interfering with the function of the hair cells in the cochlea.

The practical nurse (PN) should monitor the client's hearing by asking about any changes in hearing acuity, ringing in the ears, or difficulty understanding speech. The PN should also perform a hearing test using a tuning fork or an audiometer if available. The PN should report any signs of ototoxicity to the healthcare provider and discontinue the aminoglycoside as ordered.