A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for allopurinol for the treatment of gout. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

Choice A reason: Urine specific gravity measures the kidney's ability to concentrate urine. A normal range is typically 1.005–1.030. A value of 1.020 indicates adequate hydration and suggests that the patient is responding well to IV fluid therapy.

Choice B reason: Serum sodium levels reflect electrolyte balance. The normal range is 135–145 mEq/L. A level of 165 mEq/L is significantly elevated, indicating hypernatremia, which could be a sign of inadequate hydration and not a positive response to treatment.

Choice C reason: Hematocrit represents the proportion of blood volume occupied by red blood cells. Normal ranges are 38.3–48.6% for men and 35.5–44.9% for women. A hematocrit of 48% is at the upper limit of normal and does not specifically indicate the effectiveness of dehydration treatment.

Choice D reason: Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels can indicate renal function and hydration status. The normal range is 7–20 mg/dL. A BUN of 12 mg/dL is within the normal range and does not specifically reflect the patient's response to IV fluids for dehydration.

Choice A reason: Keeping the client NPO (nothing by mouth) is not directly related to preventing a thyroid crisis. While it may be necessary in some situations, such as preoperative care, it does not address the hyperthyroid state.

Choice B reason: Observing the client for signs of hypocalcemia is important, especially after thyroid surgery, as hypocalcemia can occur due to accidental removal or damage to the parathyroid glands. However, it is not a preventive measure for a thyroid crisis.

Choice C reason: Providing a quiet, low stimulus environment can help reduce stress and agitation, which are potential triggers for a thyroid crisis. Stress can exacerbate hyperthyroid symptoms and precipitate a crisis.

Choice D reason: Aspirin is contraindicated in clients with hyperthyroidism as it can increase thyroid hormone levels by displacing them from their binding proteins. This can potentially worsen the condition and lead to a crisis.