A nurse who is caring for a preschooler should question a prescription for which of the following antibiotics?

When caring for a client receiving a continuous infusion of total parenteral nutrition (TPN), the nurse should implement the intervention of checking the client's blood glucose level regularly. TPN is a highly concentrated intravenous nutrition solution containing glucose, amino acids, lipids, vitamins, and minerals, and it is used to provide complete nutrition when the client cannot take oral nutrition.

Monitoring blood glucose levels regularly is essential because TPN is rich in glucose, which can significantly affect the client's blood sugar levels. Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) is a potential complication of TPN infusion. Regular blood glucose monitoring allows the nurse to detect and address any changes in blood sugar levels promptly and to adjust the TPN infusion rate or administer insulin, if necessary, to maintain the client's blood sugar within the target range.

Let's go through the other options:

A. Change the TPN infusion tubing once every 3 days: While changing the TPN infusion tubing regularly is a good practice to maintain asepsis and prevent infection, it is not the priority intervention in this situation. Regularly checking the client's blood glucose level is more crucial to monitor the effects of TPN on blood sugar levels.

C. Insert the peripheral IV catheter for administration: Total parenteral nutrition is a hypertonic solution that can cause irritation and damage to peripheral veins. It is usually administered through a central venous catheter (CVC) placed in a large vein, such as the subclavian or jugular vein. Inserting a peripheral IV catheter for TPN administration is not recommended due to the risk of vein damage and thrombosis.

D. Monitor the client's weight every 3 days: Monitoring the client's weight is an important part of assessing their nutritional status and fluid balance. However, the priority intervention for a client receiving TPN is checking their blood glucose level regularly, as hyperglycemia is a common and significant concern in TPN administration.

A. Hemoglobin level: The hemoglobin level measures the amount of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells, in the blood. Warfarin is not directly responsible for increasing or decreasing the hemoglobin level. While warfarin can lead to bleeding complications in some cases, it does not specifically target the hemoglobin level, so it is not a direct indicator of the medication's effectiveness.

B. Platelet count: The platelet count measures the number of platelets in the blood, which are essential for blood clotting. Warfarin does not directly affect platelet production or count. It works by inhibiting the production of certain clotting factors, not by affecting platelets. Monitoring the platelet count is important, but it is not an indicator of warfarin's effectiveness in preventing excessive clotting.

C. Prothrombin time (PT) or activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT): Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) are coagulation tests used to assess different types of anticoagulant medications, such as heparin. Warfarin's effect is measured using the International Normalized Ratio (INR). PT and aPTT are not specific to warfarin therapy and are not used to monitor its effectiveness. The INR is the appropriate laboratory test for assessing the efficacy of warfarin therapy.

D. International Normalized Ratio (INR): This is the correct answer. The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the laboratory test used to monitor the effectiveness of warfarin therapy. The INR measures the time it takes for the blood to clot and reflects the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. A therapeutic INR within the target range (e.g., INR = 2.0 to 3.0 for most indications) indicates that warfarin has been effective in preventing excessive clotting and reducing the risk of complications associated with blood clots.