A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for furosemide, which of the following laboratory tests should the nurse monitor?

Rationale:

A. Nystagmus: Nystagmus is characterized by involuntary eye movements and is typically associated with vestibular disorders, multiple sclerosis, or congenital conditions. It is not a symptom of macular degeneration, which primarily affects the retina.

B. Astigmatism: Astigmatism is a refractive error due to an irregularly shaped cornea or lens. It is unrelated to macular degeneration, which involves degeneration of the macula—the part of the retina responsible for sharp central vision.

C. Loss of central vision: Macular degeneration leads to progressive deterioration of the macula, resulting in blurred or complete loss of central vision while peripheral vision remains intact. This is a hallmark symptom and significantly affects activities like reading and recognizing faces.

D. Client reports sharp pain: Macular degeneration does not typically cause pain. It is a painless condition, and the presence of sharp eye pain may suggest another acute ocular issue such as glaucoma or injury, not related to macular changes.

Rationale:

A. "The client can revoke consent even after the procedure has begun.": Clients have the legal right to withdraw consent at any time, including during a procedure. Respecting this autonomy is essential, and healthcare providers must stop the procedure if the client revokes consent.

B. "The nurse is responsible for obtaining informed consent.": Obtaining informed consent is the responsibility of the provider performing the procedure, who must ensure the client understands the risks, benefits, and alternatives. Nurses typically witness and verify the signature but do not obtain consent.

C. "Consent must be obtained from a family member if a client has a mental illness.": Consent depends on the client’s decision-making capacity, not solely on the presence of mental illness. If the client is competent, they can provide consent; if not, a legally authorized representative may be involved.

D. "The charge nurse will explain the risks of the procedure to the client.": Explaining procedure risks is the responsibility of the healthcare provider performing the procedure, not the charge nurse. This ensures that the explanation is accurate and comprehensive.