A client who is receiving a statin medication reports the onset of muscle soreness and fatigue, and the practical nurse (PN) notes that the client's skin is warm to the touch. Which action by the PN takes priority?
Encourage the client to drink fluids.
Monitor the client's serum lipid levels.
Report the findings to the charge nurse.
Administer a PRN dose of acetaminophen.
The Correct Answer is C
The correct answer is choice C. Report the findings to the charge nurse. Choice A rationale:
Encouraging the client to drink fluids is not the priority in this situation. While hydration is important, the client's symptoms of muscle soreness, fatigue, and warm skin might indicate a potential adverse reaction to the statin medication, which requires immediate attention.
Choice B rationale:
Monitoring the client's serum lipid levels is not the priority at this moment. The client's current symptoms suggest a possible adverse reaction to the statin medication, and waiting for lipid level results may delay necessary interventions.
Choice C rationale:
Reporting the findings to the charge nurse is the priority action. The client's symptoms could be signs of rhabdomyolysis, a severe and potentially life-threatening condition where muscle breakdown releases toxic substances into the bloodstream. The charge nurse needs to be informed promptly so that appropriate interventions can be initiated.
Choice D rationale:
Administering a PRN dose of acetaminophen is not the priority in this situation. Acetaminophen may help with pain relief, but it will not address the potential underlying issue of muscle soreness and fatigue related to the statin medication.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choiced. Explains importance of wearing protective clothing when outdoors.
Choice A rationale:
Maintaining a current immunization schedule is important for overall health, but it is not directly related to Lyme disease prevention or management, as there is no vaccine for Lyme disease in humans.
Choice B rationale:
Wearing a mask when leaving the room is a precaution for airborne diseases, not for Lyme disease, which is transmitted through tick bites.
Choice C rationale:
Disposal of personal tissues in a no-touch receptacle is a general infection control measure but does not specifically address Lyme disease prevention or management.
Choice D rationale:
Wearing protective clothing when outdoors is crucial for preventing tick bites, which are the primary mode of transmission for Lyme disease. This measure directly addresses the prevention of Lyme disease.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answer is choice B, Serum creatinine. Choice A rationale:
The white blood cell count (WBC) is an important parameter for assessing the body's immune response to infections. While it can provide valuable information about the presence of an infection, it is not directly related to nephrotoxicity. Therefore, it is not the most important laboratory value to review before administering an antibiotic that can cause nephrotoxicity.
Choice B rationale:
Serum creatinine is a crucial laboratory value to assess kidney function. It is a waste product that is filtered by the kidneys, and its level in the blood is a reliable indicator of kidney function. If the serum creatinine level is elevated, it suggests impaired kidney function, which can be a warning sign of nephrotoxicity. Reviewing the serum creatinine level before administering nephrotoxic antibiotics is essential to ensure that the client's kidneys are functioning adequately and to avoid potential harm.
Choice C rationale:
Hemoglobin and hematocrit are indicators of the client's red blood cell count and blood's oxygen-carrying capacity. While these values can provide information about the client's overall health status, they are not directly related to nephrotoxicity. Therefore, they are not the most important laboratory values to review in this particular scenario.
Choice D rationale:
Serum calcium levels are essential for assessing bone health, nerve function, and muscle contractions. However, they are not directly related to nephrotoxicity, and reviewing serum calcium levels alone would not provide sufficient information about kidney function. Hence, it is not the most critical value to review before administering nephrotoxic antibiotics
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