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:
An increase in the amount of lipid-soluble drugs in the system can occur with decreased albumin and globulin levels, but it does not cause the most concern.
Choice B rationale:
Increased free protein-bound drugs available can lead to an increased potential for adverse drug reactions. This is because these drugs are usually more active and can lead to toxicity.
Choice C rationale:
Water-soluble drugs being absorbed more completely is not typically a concern with decreased albumin and globulin levels.
Choice D rationale:
While metabolism of protein-bound drugs may be decreased, leading to an increased potential for adverse reactions, this is not the primary concern with decreased albumin and globulin levels.

Choice A rationale:
Edema is an objective symptom as it can be observed and measured by the nurse.
Choice B rationale:
Tachycardia is an objective symptom as it can be measured by the nurse.
Choice C rationale:
Nausea is a subjective symptom as it is reported by the patient.
Choice D rationale:
Cough is an objective symptom as it can be heard by the nurse.