A nurse is preparing to administer levothyroxine 100 mcg PO to a client who has hypothyroidism.

Available is levothyroxine 50 mcg tablets.

How many tablets should the nurse administer?
(Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

Choice A rationale:
One-eighth to one-fourth of the normal adult dose is not typically used when initiating drug therapy in elderly adults. This range might be too low to be effective.
Choice B rationale:
One-fourth to one-third of the normal adult dose is also not typically used when initiating drug therapy in elderly adults. This range might still be too low to be effective.
Choice C rationale:
One-half to three-fourths of the normal adult dose is not typically used when initiating drug therapy in elderly adults. This range might be too high and increase the risk of adverse effects.
Choice D rationale:
One-third to one-half of the normal adult dose is used when initiating drug therapy in elderly adults. This range is appropriate to balance efficacy and safety.

Choice A rationale:

Measuring goal/outcome achievement is part of the evaluation step of the nursing process, not the assessment step.

Choice B rationale:

Collecting and communicating data is indeed part of the assessment step of the nursing process. This step involves gathering information about the patient’s health.

Choice C rationale:

Establishing patient goals/outcomes is part of the planning step, not the assessment step.

Choice D rationale:

Implementing the nursing care plan (NCP) is part of the implementation step, not the assessment step.