A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving gemfibrozil. The nurse should identify which of the following findings as an adverse effect of this medication?

Choice A rationale:
The client’s temperature has decreased from 37.8°C (100°F) to 37.2°C (99°F). While this is a slight reduction, it indicates a move towards a more normal body temperature. Elevated temperatures can be associated with stress, anxiety, or other underlying conditions. A decrease in temperature suggests that the client’s body is stabilizing and that any potential underlying issues causing the elevated temperature are being managed effectively.

Choice B rationale:
The client’s mood has improved as she appears less anxious and more composed during the physical examination. Anxiety can significantly impact a person’s overall well-being, and a reduction in anxiety levels is a positive indicator of improvement. The client also expresses optimism about her recovery, which is a good sign of mental health improvement.
Choice C rationale:
The client has gained weight, increasing from 53 kg (117 lb) to 55 kg (121 lb). Weight gain in this context is a positive sign, indicating that the client’s body is responding well to treatment and that her nutritional status is improving. Unintentional weight loss can be a symptom of underlying health issues, so reversing this trend is a good indicator of recovery.
Choice D rationale:
The client reports better sleep, which is a significant improvement from her previous insomnia. Sleep is crucial for physical and mental health, and improved sleep patterns can lead to better overall health outcomes. Insomnia can exacerbate anxiety and other health issues, so better sleep is a positive sign.
Choice E rationale:
The client’s heart rate has decreased from 120/min to 95/min. A high heart rate can be a sign of anxiety, stress, or other health issues. A reduction in heart rate indicates that the client’s anxiety levels are decreasing and that her cardiovascular system is stabilizing. This is a positive sign of improvement in her overall health.

Choice A rationale
Incorrect packaging, such as a topical medication packaged as an oral medication, can lead to medication errors. However, it is not the most frequent cause of fatal medication errors. Packaging errors are relatively rare and usually caught before administration.
Choice B rationale
Delivery device problems, such as an infusion pump malfunction, can cause medication errors. These errors can be serious but are not the most frequent cause of fatal medication errors. Device malfunctions are often detected and corrected by healthcare professionals.
Choice C rationale
Name confusion between two medications with similar sounding names is the most frequent cause of fatal medication errors. This type of error occurs when medications with similar names are confused, leading to the administration of the wrong drug. This can have serious and sometimes fatal consequences.
Choice D rationale
Incorrect labeling of a medication dispensed by the pharmacy can lead to medication errors. While labeling errors are a significant concern, they are not the most frequent cause of fatal medication errors. These errors are often identified and corrected before administration.