A nurse is reviewing the laboratory data of a client who is receiving filgrastim. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment?

Choice A Reason:
Discard the medication if it is yellow is incorrect. While amphotericin B lipid complex can have a yellowish color, it's important to follow specific guidelines provided by the manufacturer or pharmacy regarding any discoloration or changes in the medication's appearance. Discoloration could indicate degradation or contamination, and it's crucial to adhere to specific institutional policies in such cases.
Choice B Reason:
Administer the medication over 2 hr is incorrect. Amphotericin B lipid complex is usually given over a longer duration (e.g., several hours) due to the potential for infusion-related reactions. Intermittent IV bolus administration over 2 hours might not be appropriate and can increase the risk of adverse reactions.
Choice C Reason:
Use a gravity flow set is incorrect. For medications like amphotericin B lipid complex, which often require precise infusion rates and careful monitoring, using an IV infusion pump is usually recommended instead of a gravity flow set. An infusion pump allows for more accurate control of the infusion rate and reduces the risk of errors.
Choice D Reason:
Prime the tubing with 0.9% sodium chloride is correct. Amphotericin B lipid complex should be administered according to specific instructions and precautions. Priming the IV tubing with 0.9% sodium chloride helps ensure that the medication is effectively delivered to the patient and that the medication is not affected by remnants of previous IV solutions in the tubing.

Choice A Reason:
INR (International Normalized Ratio) is incorrect. INR is a measurement used to monitor the effects of anticoagulants like warfarin. It assesses the blood's ability to clot. Filgrastim does not directly affect INR levels, so monitoring INR would not provide information about the effectiveness of filgrastim in stimulating white blood cell production.
Choice B Reason:
BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) is incorrect. BUN levels primarily indicate kidney function and hydration status. They are not directly influenced by filgrastim treatment. Monitoring BUN is essential for assessing kidney function but does not reflect the effectiveness of filgrastim therapy in increasing white blood cell counts.
Choice C Reason:
WBC count is correct. Filgrastim is a medication that stimulates the production of white blood cells (WBCs), particularly neutrophils. Therefore, the key laboratory value to monitor for assessing the effectiveness of filgrastim therapy is the WBC count. An increase in the WBC count, particularly in the neutrophil count, signifies the intended therapeutic effect of filgrastim in boosting the immune system's response by increasing the production of these infection-fighting cells.
Choice D Reason:
Potassium level is incorrect. Potassium levels are crucial for heart and muscle function. While certain medications might affect potassium levels, filgrastim's primary action is on stimulating white blood cell production and does not directly impact potassium levels. Monitoring potassium levels is essential for overall health but does not specifically indicate the effectiveness of filgrastim treatment.