A nurse is caring for a client who has a magnesium level of 3.2 mEq/L. Which of the following medications should the nurse expect to administer?

The nurse should report to the provider that the client is taking ginkgo biloba. Ginkgo biloba is an herbal supplement that can interact with clopidogrel and other antiplatelet medications. It may increase the risk of bleeding when taken concurrently with clopidogrel, which is an antiplatelet medication used to prevent blood clots after coronary artery stenting.

Let's go through the other options:

A. The client is taking acetaminophen: Acetaminophen is not known to have significant interactions with clopidogrel. It is a commonly used pain reliever and fever reducer and does not usually affect the antiplatelet activity of clopidogrel.

B. The client is taking valerian: Valerian is an herbal supplement often used as a sleep aid or to reduce anxiety. While there is limited evidence of significant interactions with clopidogrel, it is generally recommended to use caution when combining valerian with antiplatelet medications. However, it is not as concerning as ginkgo biloba in terms of potential bleeding risk.

C. The client is taking vitamin B6: Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin and is not expected to have significant interactions with clopidogrel. It is generally considered safe to use vitamin B6 with antiplatelet medications like clopidogrel.

When providing teaching to a client with chronic rheumatoid arthritis who is starting a new prescription for hydroxychloroquine, the nurse should instruct the client to obtain routine eye examinations. Hydroxychloroquine is an antimalarial and immunosuppressive medication commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions.

One of the potential side effects of hydroxychloroquine is ocular toxicity, particularly affecting the retina. Retinal toxicity can lead to vision changes or, in severe cases, irreversible damage to the eyes. Therefore, regular eye examinations are necessary to monitor for any signs of retinal toxicity and detect any visual changes early to prevent further complications.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that patients taking hydroxychloroquine undergo a baseline eye examination before starting the medication and annual eye examinations thereafter, especially after five years of continuous use.

Let's go through the other options:

B. Chest x-ray: A chest x-ray is not routinely required for monitoring clients taking hydroxychloroquine for rheumatoid arthritis. Hydroxychloroquine is not known to cause significant respiratory or pulmonary side effects.

C. Pancreatic enzyme levels: Monitoring pancreatic enzyme levels is not specifically related to hydroxychloroquine therapy. Pancreatic enzyme level testing is typically used to assess the function of the pancreas in conditions like pancreatitis or pancreatic insufficiency.

D. Urinalysis screening: While regular monitoring of kidney function is important for clients on long-term medication therapy, routine urinalysis screening is not specifically related to hydroxychloroquine use in clients with rheumatoid arthritis. Regular eye examinations are of higher priority due to the potential ocular toxicity associated with this medication.