A nurse is caring for a client who has an infection and a prescription for gentamicin Intermittent IV bolus every 8 hr. A peak and trough are required with the next dose. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to obtain an accurate gentamicin serum level?
Draw a peak level 90 min prior to administering the medication and a trough level 90 min after the dose.
Draw a trough level immediately prior to administering the medication and a peak level 30 min after the
dose.
Draw a trough level at 0900 and a peak level at 2100.
The Correct Answer is B
To obtain an accurate gentamicin serum level, the nurse should draw a trough level immediately before administering the next dose of medication and a peak level 30 minutes after the dose has been administered. The trough level measures the lowest concentration of the medication in the blood, while the peak level measures the highest concentration.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
No explanation
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The correct answer is choiceb. Monitor the serum medication levels.
Choice A rationale:
Administering gentamicin with food is not necessary and does not minimize the risk of adverse effects. Gentamicin is typically given intravenously or intramuscularly, and food does not impact its administration or absorption.
Choice B rationale:
Monitoring the serum medication levels is crucial when administering gentamicin. Gentamicin has a narrow therapeutic index, meaning the difference between a therapeutic dose and a toxic dose is small. Regular monitoring helps ensure the drug remains within the safe and effective range, reducing the risk of nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity.
Choice C rationale:
Limiting the client’s fluid intake is not recommended. Adequate hydration is important to help prevent nephrotoxicity, a known adverse effect of gentamicin. Ensuring the client has sufficient fluid intake can help protect kidney function.
Choice D rationale:
Instructing the client to report agitation is not directly related to minimizing the risk of adverse effects of gentamicin. While it is important for clients to report any unusual symptoms, agitation is not a common adverse effect of gentamicin. Monitoring for signs of nephrotoxicity (e.g., decreased urine output) and ototoxicity (e.g., hearing loss, tinnitus) is more relevant.
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