A nurse is teaching a class about using niacin to reduce LDL cholesterol.
The nurse should include in the teaching that which of the following conditions is a contraindication for receiving this medication?

Choice A rationale:

Sodium level of 142 mEq/L is within the normal range (135-145 mEq/L) for adults. However, normal ranges for children might vary slightly, but 142 mEq/L is not indicative of dehydration on its own.

Choice B rationale:

Respiratory rate of 22/min is within the normal range for a 3-year-old child (20-30 breaths/min) This rate alone does not provide evidence of dehydration.

Choice C rationale:

Potassium level of 3.9 mEq/L is within the normal range (3.5-5.1 mEq/L) for children. Like sodium, normal ranges for potassium may differ slightly in pediatric patients, but 3.9 mEq/L is not alarming on its own.

Choice D rationale:

Heart rate of 148/min is elevated for a 3-year-old child. Tachycardia is a common sign of dehydration in pediatric patients. This increased heart rate indicates the body's compensatory mechanism to maintain cardiac output in response to decreased blood volume, a typical consequence of dehydration.

Maintain sterile objects within the line of vision.

• A. Hold hands folded below the waist after donning sterile gloves. This is incorrect because holding hands below the waist can contaminate the gloves with microorganisms from the floor or clothing.
• B. Pick up and pour solutions with the palm of the hand covering bottle labels. This is incorrect because covering bottle labels can obscure important information such as expiration dates or ingredients.
• C. Keep sterile items within a 1.3 cm (0.5 in) border of the sterile drape. This is incorrect because the border of the sterile drape is considered contaminated and any sterile item that touches it becomes contaminated as well.
• D. Maintain sterile objects within the line of vision. This is correct because keeping an eye on sterile objects ensures that they are not accidentally touched by nonsterile items or persons.